Can you help me?

[Unregistered]

This is about grammar:
SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
_ What a pity! He can't speak English.
==> He wishes he COULD SPEAK English.
==> He wishes he SPOKE English.

Which one is correct? Why? Please give me an explanation.

 

[Hi_there_Carl]

"He wishes he COULD SPEAK English." is the correct choice.
This uses a present form of the verb. :up:

He wishes he SPOKE English. is incorrect because "spoke" is the past form on the verb.

 

[heidita]

"He wishes he COULD SPEAK English." is the correct choice.
This uses a present form of the verb. :up: :?::?:

He wishes he SPOKE English. is incorrect because "spoke" is the past form on the verb.

Carl, why would you say that? :shock:Could is past tense or conditional, not present.

Both sentences are correct, but the first one is the correct transformation of the one given.

cheers

 

[Hi_there_Carl]

OK ... Whatever ;-)