The use of forms expressing unreality in object clauses of complex sentences after the verb to wish

The use of forms expressing unreality in object clauses of complex sentences after the verb to wish

In object clauses after the verb to wish we find the form of the Past Indefinite (for the verb to be – were) or the Past Perfect to express a wish which cannot be fulfilled or a hardly realizable wish.

The use of the Past indefinite shows that the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the verb in the principal clause.

I wish I deserved your compliments.

I wish it were true.

I wish(ed) he were here with us.

These forms express an unrealizable wish and they serve as expressions of regret rather than wish. That is why in the sentence where the actions in both clauses are simultaneous they may be rendered in Russian in two ways: Как бы мне хотелось…. И Как жаль, что….(Iwish I knew it. Как бы мне хотелось это знать. И Как жаль, что я этого не знаю.)

The form of the Past Perfect shows that the action of the subordinate clause precedes the action of the verb in the principal clause.

I wish(ed) he had stayed at home.

I wished that Thomas hadn`t brought me there.

When the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the principal clause, there is only one way of rendering such sentences in Russian. (For example, the sentence I wishI had told him about it is translated as Как жаль, что я не рассказал ему об этом.) Thus, it is negative in Russian and affirmative in English.

When the action of the object clause follows that of the principal clause, we find the modal verbs would+infinitive, might+ infinitive and could+ infinitive in subordinate clause.

I wish(ed) the child would show more affection to me.

I wish(ed) I could drop the whole matter.

I wish(ed) you might stay with us a little longer.

It should be noted that would+infinitive is not common with the first person.

When the action of the object clause follows that of the principal clause, the usual way of rendering such sentences is Как бы мне бы хотелось… (I wish he would tell me everything. Как бы мне хотелось, чтобы он мне все рассказал. I wish I could (might) go round the world. Как бы мне хотелось объехать весь мир.)

It should be noted that could+infinitive ans might+infinitive may also be used to express a simultaneous actions – I wish I could understand you. – I wish he might be here.

Object clauses after wish are usually joined to the principal clause asyndetically, though sometimes the conjunction that is found.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in this construction.

For a realizable wish other verbs and constructions are used.

I want to see him.

I want him to come.

I should like to talk to you.

I wish to see it for myself.

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