Advanced Grammar 9.

17
CLAUSES WISH CLAUSES / ITS TIME CLAUSES
WISH CLAUSES Wish clauses are usually used to refer to situations which are contrary to fact or unlikely to happen. The conjunction that is often omitted, especially in spoken English: I wish (that) I had a yacht. Tom wishes he had finished the marathon. Wish clauses are used in the following cases: To express present unreality. In this case we use the past subjunctive in the clause. Remember that the past subjunctive looks like a past, but it actually means that something is unreal in the present. I wish I had a million dollars. (Id like to have a million dollars, but I dont have them.) We wish we didnt have so much work. (We have a lot of work.) Sometimes people also use could in the clause to express present unreality. I wish I could speak Portuguese. (I cant speak Portuguese.) Remember that the past subjunctive of the verb to be is were for all persons, although in informal English many speakers use was with I, he, she, and it. I wish she were here. (She isnt here.) We wish it werent so hot. (It is very hot.) To express past unreality. In this case we use the past perfect in the clause. I wish I had been more careful. (I wasnt careful enough.) She wishes he hadnt broken up with her. (He broke up with her.) Sometimes people also use could + have + past participle in the clause to express past unreality. I wish I could have gone to your recital. (I couldnt go to your recital.)

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To express disapproval since we feel annoyed with or worried about something that is happening or usually happens. In this case we use would in the clause. I wish our neighbors dog would stop barking. (Its barking annoys me) She wishes her husband wouldnt drive so fast. (Shes worried that something might happen to him.) Sometimes these wishes with would can refer to a hope that something might happen. I wish someone would lend me some money. (I hope that someone will lend me some money.) They wish the mayor would do something about this. (They hope that the mayor does something about this.) Be careful:
Do not confuse these clauses with those that express unreality. We wish she came more often. (She doesnt come often. = present unreality) We wish she could come more often. (She cant come often. = present unreality) We wish she would come more often. (We hope that she will come more often = possibility)

NOTE: We can use if only instead of wish to show present unreality or past unreality. If only it werent so cold. (I wish it werent so cold. = It is very cold) If only he had been there. (We wish he had been there. = He wasnt there) ITS TIME CLAUSES Its time clauses are used to criticize or complain about something or to regret a present situation with the hope that it will change. Sometimes the word time is preceded by high or about for emphasis. The past subjunctive is used in the clause. Its time you spoke to her. (You havent spoken to her yet. Its time to do it.) Its high time they were here. (They arent here yet, and its late.) Its about time he learned to drive. (He hasnt learned to drive yet.) A 9.17 CLAUSES Wish clauses, Its time clauses
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PRACTICE: WISH CLAUSES / ITS TIME CLAUSES I. Write wish clauses expressing present unreality.
1. (I dont know their intentions.) I wish I knew their intentions 2. (It is so cold in the mountains.) We wish 3. (I cant speak Italian.) I wish .... 4. (She has so many problems.) She wishes . 5. (He doesnt remember her address.) He wishes ..

II. Write wish clauses expressing past unreality.

1. (We went out last night.) We wish we hadnt gone out last night 2. (He didnt see her at the conference.) He wishes 3. (I couldnt find a parking space.) I wish ...... 4. (She wasnt aware of the situation.) She wishes . 5. (They missed the train.) They wish ..

III. Write wish clauses expressing annoyance, discomfort, or possibility.

1. (Id like my neighbors to stop arguing.) I wish my neighbors would stop arguing 2. (We hope that he comes to the gathering.) We wish 3. (She never listens to him.) He wishes ..... A 9.17 CLAUSES Wish clauses, Its time clauses
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4. (You always drive so fast.) I wish . 5. (She wants somebody to give her a hand.) She wishes ..

IV. Write sentences expressing wishes using if only instead of wish.

1. (I dont have a car.) If only I had a car. 2. (We werent at the lecture.) If only 3. (I dont know her phone number.) If only ........ 4. (She cant sing well.) If only . 5. (He couldnt get there on time) If only

V. Write sentences using Its time clauses.

1. (She isnt ready yet.) Its time she were ready 2. (The president hasnt made a decision about this yet.) Its high time . 3. (I still havent spoken to my son.) Its time ...... 4. (The children havent gone to bed yet.) Its about time .... 5. (He hasnt taken his pill yet.) Its time ..

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ANSWERS: Practice A 9.17 Exercise I:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I wish I knew their intentions. We wish it werent so cold in the mountains. I wish I could speak Italian. She wishes she didnt have so many problems. He wishes he remembered her address.

Exercise II:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. We wish we hadnt gone out last night. He wishes he had seen her at the conference. I wish I could have found a parking space. She wishes she had been aware of the situation. They wish they hadnt missed the train.

Exercise III:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I wish my neighbors would stop arguing. We wish he would come to the gathering. He wishes she would listen to him. I wish you wouldnt drive so fast. She wishes somebody would give her a hand.

Exercise IV:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. If only I had a car. If only we had been at the lecture. If only I knew her phone number. If only she could sing well. If only he could have gotten there on time.

Exercise V:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Its time she were ready. Its high time the president made a decision about this. Its time I spoke to my son. Its about time the children went to bed. Its time he took his pill.

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