Wish

[Mauro63]

Hi, this is my first time here !
I have a problem with the choose of a tense form in the following sentence:

I wish she didn't come back. Or. I wish she wouldn't come back.
As far as I know both forms may be correct but I cannot quite understand the difference.

Thank you!

[billmcd]

Hi, this is my first time here !
I have a problem with the choose of a tense form in the following sentence:

I wish she didn't come back. Or. I wish she wouldn't come back. In your first example, if you are referring to a past action, it would be better to say, "I wish she had not come back". If you are referring to a future possibility of coming back, your first example is not correct but your second example is OK or "I wish she won't come back".

As far as I know both forms may be correct but I cannot quite understand the difference.

Thank you!

b.

[5jj]

Wishes folllowed by 'that' are expressions of regret for a situation that will, does or did not materialize. The non-materialisation is shown by a backshifting of tenses similar to that in hypothetical conditional sentences.

1. I wish she wouldn't come back.
2. I wish she didn't come back
3. I wish she hadn't come back.

1. Wishes with 'would' express the speaker's regret that something will (or will not) happen - i.e, in the future and/or that somebody else insists on doing.

2. Wishes with the past simple express the speaker's regret that something does (or does not) happen.

3. Wishes with the past perfect express the speaker's regret that something did (or did not) happen in the past.


4. I wish she won't come back. This is unnatural for most spealers of BrE. If there is any posibility of her coming back, then 'hope' is used.

[billmcd]

Wishes folllowed by 'that' are expressions of regret for a situation that will, does or did not materialize. The non-materialisation is shown by a backshifting of tenses similar to that in hypothetical conditional sentences.

1. I wish she wouldn't come back.
2. I wish she didn't come back
3. I wish she hadn't come back.

1. Wishes with 'would' express the speaker's regret that something will (or will not) happen - i.e, in the future and/or that somebody else insists on doing.

2. Wishes with the past simple express the speaker's regret that something does (or does not) happen.

3. Wishes with the past perfect express the speaker's regret that something did (or did not) happen in the past.


4. I wish she won't come back. This is unnatural for most spealers of BrE. If there is any posibility of her coming back, then 'hope' is used.

With regard to #2, I offer (from englishgrammarlessons.com )
"Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its meaning.
Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use 'hope' ". So, I would prefer "I hope she doesn't come back."