I wish I could have a brother like you.

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keannu

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Is it proper to say "I wish I could have a brother" when you don't have one? "Could" seems weird, so I think just "I wish I had a brother like you" is proper. What do you think?

Woman: You are such a nice brother to your sister, but I don't have any brother.
I wish I could have a brother like you.

m1-3.21
 

5jj

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"I wish I could have a brother." - I wish it were possible for me to have a brother. It's fine.
 

susiedq

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How about:
"I wish you were my brother."
 

TheNewOne

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I wish I could have a teacher like you.
I wish I could have such a teacher as you.
I wish I had a teacher like you.

Are these sentences correct? Which one is better to use to sound like a native? ;-)
 

keannu

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Not a teacher

It's related to my post, so my opinion is the last one, which I think is the most natural one. Even in Korean, we say so.
*I wish I had a teacher like you.
 

BobK

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"I wish I could have a brother." - I wish it were possible for me to have a brother. It's fine.

:-? Only if the speaker knows their father has had a vasectomy (or there is some other physical impediment. ;-)) I suspect you know this 5jj (as your alternative wording suggests), but I also suspect the OP doesn't. If the wisher just wishes he had a brother (because he doesn't and wants one), 'I wish I had...' is correct.

b
 
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