[Grammar] constructions with "wish"

[licinio]

I wish to leave on holiday = I want to leave on holiday, right?

We say "I want someone to do something", but if I replace "want" with "wish" in a more formal style how should I say?
Is "I wish that he would help me" equivalent to "I want him to help me"?

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[5jj]

I wish to leave on holiday = I want to leave on holiday, right?
Roughly. It is rather formal.

We say "I want someone to do something", but if I replace "want" with "wish" in a more formal style how should I say? Is "I wish that he would help me" equivalent to "I want him to help me"?
No. "I wish that he would help me" conveys the idea that he is not helping you, or that he will not help you.

5

 

[Jack_Rose]

"wish" + "would" (or a past tense): You expect something to happen in the past, but it did not. Then, at present I suppose, I wish/dream that would happen.

Such a structure is usually used to express your disappointment with something or someone.

 

[5jj]

"wish" + "would" (or a past tense): You expect something to happen in the past, but it did not. Then, at present I suppose, I wish/dream that would happen.

No.

I wish I had studied harder. - regret about not studying harder in the past.
I wish I had a lot of money. - regret about present non-possession of money.
I wish she would wear more appropriate dresses. - regret about present wearing of inappropriate clothes