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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.