Wish

[irinaofr]

Seems to me that it is considered wrong to say it this way:

I wish I WOULD HAVE spent less time working/ taken more risks/done this.....etc

However I can see it's written.

Should it be

I wish I spent/took/did....etc?

(When said, let's say, looking back at life when dying).

Tnanks.

 

[GoesStation]

You should write I wish I had spent less time doing whatever.

 

[irinaofr]

If I am talking about my childhood (something definitely in the past), then sure.
If I am talking about now, then " I wish I spent more time with my family"?
If I am talking about my last 10 years, then....?

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I wish I could spend more time with my family.
I wish I had spent more time with my family in the past 10 years/in my childhood.

 

[irinaofr]

How about:

I haven't spent enough time with my family for the past 10 years. I wish I could spend more time with my family.

Can I say: I wish I spent more time with my family? (Like in: I wish I was/were rich)

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Wai]

To me, 'I wish I could spend' makes more sense than 'I wish I spent'.

 

[tedmc]

It is a hypothetical case talking about something from the past. I think "I wish I spent.." is incorrect.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I wish I could spend more time with my family.
I wish I had more time to spend with my family.

 

[Matthew Wai]

It is a hypothetical case talking about something from the past.

I think it refers to an unreal situation in the present.

 

[irinaofr]

Thank you everyone for the input.
1) I wish I was/were rich ( but I am not).
2) I wish I lived in NY (but I do not).
3) I wish I spent more time with my family.

2) is correct, but 3) is not?

4) I wish THAT I spent more time with my family.
Now it is correct?

Many thanks.

 

[irinaofr]

Thanks. Strange that it took me so long to hear that...(12 messages).