I came across these sentences and cannot tell the difference. What is the difference between these two sentences?
I wish you bought me a car.
I wish you would buy me a car.
-
2Welcom to ELL. Thank you for your question. Please use the edit link (or click on 'edit'!) to tell us where you "came across" these sentences. Is this from a lesson or exam? Also, please take the time to read our tour and Help Center pages. They will help you to write a good question. We hope you will ask more of them!– P. E. Dant Reinstate MonicaCommented Jul 31, 2017 at 23:22
-
It is difficult to wish for something that has already happened, right? bought is past tense...– user3169Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 2:28
-
@user3169 Well, you often wish for something that didn't occur, something that you'd like to change about the past or the present. Bought in that sentence suggests something unreal.– user3395Commented Aug 1, 2017 at 11:17
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
Your first sentence is not correct because you are using the past tense of buy (=bought) to make a wish about the future.
The second sentence is ok because although would is a past tense modal verb we are allowed to use it to talk about a wish for the future.
Here is another example:
I wish it would rain tomorrow.
Another past tense modal that can be used to express a wish about the future is could Here is another example:
I wish you could help me with my exam tomorrow.
I hope that helps a bit.
Some help from British Council website
