Sorry! Search is currently unavailable while the database is being updated, it will be back in 5 mins!

Wishful Thinking

Many of our social activities have been reduced by the current crisis, giving us a lot more time on our own. Maybe this is a good time to think about what we wish for the future. Let's take a look today at some English sentences that use the standard phrase that begins "I wish..."

 

I wish that I could be like the cool kids.

Caption 8, Echosmith - Cool Kids

 Play Caption

 

By "cool kids," they mean the kids who are more popular.

 

I wish I could find a book to live in.

Caption 11, Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - Look What They've Done to My Song

 Play Caption

 

This is a poetic way of saying she wishes her life had more excitement and romance — like in a book!

 

I wish I would've had more time to travel around.

Caption 37, Ask Jimmy Carter - Interview with Demi Moore

 Play Caption

 

These days, the problem is not so much having the time to travel as the fact that travel restrictions often make traveling impossible.

 

How I wish, how I wish you were here

Caption 12, David Gilmour - Wish You Were Here

 Play Caption

 

Most of us are missing friends and family members who we aren't able to see because of travel restrictions. At least it's usually possible to call them or have a video chat. It's not the same as being there, but it helps!

 

I wish I had a better voice that sang some better words.

Caption 2, Twenty One Pilots - Stressed Out

 Play Caption

 

The singer of the band Twenty One Pilots clearly needs to get some singing lessons and work on his lyrics!

 

I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Caption 5, Katie Melua - River

 Play Caption

 

The river she wants to skate away on had better be frozen solid or she'll be swimming in her ice skates.

 

I wish it hadn't happened. But it did.

Caption 63, Matthew Modine - Showreel

 Play Caption

 

As far as the crisis goes, it is still happening, but it is good to be realistic about things, as Mr. Modine advises.

 

I wish you a Merry Christmas. Goodbye!

Caption 60, Christmas in London - People

 Play Caption

 

Some countries actually celebrate Christmas in July. It's also possible to say "It's like Christmas in July!" when you get a present, even though it's not a holiday or your birthday.

 

Further Learning
Make up some sentences about things that you wish for using the phrases "I wish I had...", "I wish I could...", and "I wish I was...". Find some more examples using "I wish" on Yabla English so you can get a better sense of the different contexts in which the phrase is used.

Dies könnte dir auch gefallen: