[Grammar] How to use I WISH properly

[Matthew Wai]

"Why it is incorrect to say, 'I wish I would'?"

The one above is not correct, but the one below is.
"Why is it incorrect to say 'I wish I would'?"

There should be no comma after 'say'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

There should be no comma after 'say' if you want to get the correct Google search result.
That's what I meant.

 

[enricol88]

Thanks for your answer The Parser.
But having read your sentences, one more question is coming up to my mind:
Where is exactly the difference between sentence 1. and sentence 2.??
In sentence 1. you express regret because newspapers don't report news (and you want them to report).
In sentence 2. you want newspapers to report news (so it means that they're not reporting). But if that is true, both sentences look having exactly the same meaning.
Sorry for asking again...I'm really struggling with that.
Thanks in advance

 

[Matthew Wai]

both sentences look having exactly the same meaning.

I think they do not mean the same in that #1 and #2 refer to the present and the future respectively.

 

[TheParser]

Both sentences seem to have the same meaning.
I'm really struggling with that.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Enrico:

I, too, am struggling with this question: Do both sentences basically mean the same thing? Lest I give you the wrong answer, I shall keep my opinion to myself and wait for a teacher to answer.

2. Thanks to Matthew Wai's excellent reply, I now have the courage to share an idea (not "answer") with you.

a. I wish that newspapers reported all the news, but they do not. What a shame!

b. I wish that newspapers would report all the news, but they probably will not change.

3. I have made up these two sentences.
.
a. I wish you wore more attractive clothing.
b I wish you would wear more attractive clothing.

If (IF!) I understand my books correctly, the use of "would" makes the criticism softer.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

I tend to think that the (non) difference between these two goes back to the archaic usage(s) of will and would as parallel, as in: 'I would that I could speak French.'

I wish that newspapers would (wanted to) report all the news, but they probably will not (do not want to) change.

I wish you would (wanted to) wear more attractive clothing.

This fragment of the archaic use of will/would remains in a rather twisted and somewhat confusing form, though will is still commonly used as a noun: 'She has a strong will.'

 

[Matthew Wai]

'I would that I could speak French.'

Is it correct to say 'I would that'?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes. It is a bit archaic, but it is correct. I think one could also use "wouldst" -- even more archaic.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, he did.

 

[Tarheel]

"I would that" all by itself?


:?:

 

[MikeNewYork]

No.