Ex. 37. Open the brackets, using the correct form of the verb.
1. I wish you ......... (not fuss) about such unimportant things. 2. He wishes he .............. (take care of) the difficulties himself. 3. I wish you ........... (mind) your own business. 4. She felt so lost in this strange city that she wished she ............(have) someone to keep her company. 5. He wished the baby in the next room ..........(not cry) and he ........... (get) a little sleep. 6. I wish she .............(never write) this letter. 7. She wished she .............. (teach) him a good lesson. 8. I wish you ............(talk) him into giving up this foolish idea. 9. He wishes we ............ (put off) the party till next Saturday. 10. I wish you ............ (take) yourself in hand. 11. I wish you ............. (stay) another couple of days. There is so much I’d like to talk to you about. 12. This train journey seems endless! I wish we ............ (go) by car. 13. I wish I ........... (have) the money to buy some new clothes, but I can’t afford any at the moment. 14. I wish the government ............... (do) something about the pollution in the city. 15. I’m getting really wet through. I wish I ............ (forget) my umbrella. 16. That was a lovely meal, but I wish I ............. (eat) so much. 17. I wish I ............... (study) for my exams. I’m not going to pass. 18. I really enjoyed our trip to the theatre. I wish we ............(go) more often. 19. I wish you .............. (not leave) your dirty shoes in your bedroom! 20. I wish you ..............(stop) making so much noise late at night. 21. I wish my car ............. (be) as fast as yours.
Ex. 38. Paraphrase the following sentences, using ‘wish’.
1. I’d love to be able to go with you to the opera. 2. It’s a pity that I sold that old painting. 3. I’ve had enough of your constant complaining! 4. I’d love to be sitting on a beach in Turkey right now! 5. He regrets not going to university. 6. I am sorry I have given you so much trouble. 7. Why are you talking shop all the time? 8. I am sorry I don’t know where to find him. 9. Too bad, we have to change trains twice. 10. It’s a pity Mr and Mrs Lee left the party so early. 11. I’m sorry Sam doesn’t remember you. 12. It’s a great pity your car broke down yesterday. 13. I’m sorry you don’t feel better this morning. 14. I’m afraid I haven’t met our new neighbour. 15. It’s a shame you failed your driving-test. 16. It would be nice if he agreed to deliver a lecture on modern art. 17. You had better take up a job to your taste. 18. I should not have shown my surprise. 19. You had better put off your visit to them. 20. What a pity I missed such a wonderful chance!
Ex. 39. Write sentences as in the example:
You didn’t watch the news so you didn’t know there was a train strike.
I wish I had watched the news. If I had watched the news, I would have known there was a train strike.
1. You work long hours and you can’t spend much time with your family.
2. You wanted to travel abroad but you forgot to renew your passport.
3. You can’t drive a car so you can’t get around easily.
4. You wanted to play tennis but you broke your racket.
5. You want to go swimming but you have lost your swimming costume.
6. You want to climb the mountain but you are afraid of heights.
7. You didn’t set you video correctly so you didn’t record the film.
8. You want to go out tonight but you haven’t got enough money.
9. You want to cook an Italian meal but you have no pasta left.
10. You were not offered the job because you were not qualified.
11. You got up late and you missed the train.
12. You are not a senior staff member so you can’t use the car park.
13. You want a pet but you are allergic to animals.
14. You damaged the video because you didn’t know how to connect it.
15. You like chocolate but you are on a diet.
16. You enjoy playing tennis but you twisted your ankle.
17. You want to go away for the weekend but you have lots of homework.