B2 · 中上級 チャプター 14

Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands

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46 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of expressing regrets, desires, and formal requirements with confidence.

  • Express dissatisfaction with current situations using 'wish'.
  • Reflect on past regrets using the past perfect tense.
  • Formulate formal demands and suggestions using the subjunctive mood.
Mastering the language of regret and resolve.

学べること

Ever wished you could express past regrets or make formal demands with native-like precision? This chapter unlocks how to use 'wish' for those if only moments and master sophisticated requests, making your English truly shine.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use the subjunctive mood to issue professional requests and suggestions.

チャプターガイド

Overview

As B2 English learners, you're already interacting with native speakers fluently, but truly mastering nuanced expressions can elevate your English to the next level. This chapter is your key to unlocking those if only moments and making sophisticated requests, making your English wishes, regrets, and formal demands sound incredibly natural. We'll dive into how to express dissatisfaction with your current situation, articulate things you wish had happened differently in the past, and even convey polite but firm requirements.
Understanding these structures is crucial for sounding less like a textbook and more like a fluent speaker. You'll learn to use wish for present regrets, wish and if only for past regrets, and how to use wish + would to express annoyance. We'll also explore the powerful English subjunctive, a fantastic tool for formal demands and suggestions.
Get ready to add precision and polish to your B2 English grammar!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down these powerful grammatical tools, seeing how they allow for nuanced expression.
When you use wish for present regrets, you're talking about how you want your current reality to be different. The trick is to use a past tense verb after wish. For example, if you're struggling, you might say,
I wish I knew the answer right now.
This isn't about the past; it's about wanting your present knowledge to be different. Similarly,
I wish I had more time
expresses a desire for a different present situation.
For past regrets, you'll step further back in time with the past perfect tense after wish or if only. This is for things you regret not doing, or doing, in the past. "I wish I hadn't eaten so much cake yesterday" expresses regret about a past action.
If only I had studied harder for the exam
conveys a deep regret about a missed opportunity. Both wish and if only work here, with if only often carrying a slightly stronger emotional tone.
Moving on to expressing annoyance, we use wish + would. This pattern is specific: you're annoyed and want someone else to change their behavior, or for a situation beyond your control to change.
I wish he would stop talking during the movie
clearly shows your irritation.
It implies a desire for a future action from someone else. You can’t use wish + would for yourself.
Finally, the English subjunctive is about making formal demands, suggestions, or expressing essential requirements. It uses the base form of the verb (e.g., be, go, have) regardless of the subject, usually after trigger words like suggest, recommend, essential, or
it is important that.
For instance,
I suggest that she be present at the meeting
is a formal suggestion. Or,
It is essential that he arrive on time.
Notice how be and arrive don't change, even with she or he. This structure adds a level of formality and authority to your statements.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: I wish I have more money.
✓ Correct: I wish I had more money.
Explanation: For present wishes/regrets, always use the simple past tense after 'wish'.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: If only I didn't forget her birthday.
✓ Correct: If only I hadn't forgotten her birthday.
Explanation: For past regrets, use the past perfect tense (had + past participle) after 'wish' or 'if only'.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: I wish I would be taller.
✓ Correct: I wish I were taller. (or wish I was taller, more informally)
Explanation: 'Wish + would' is for wanting *someone else's* behavior to change, or a situation *outside your control*. For your own desired changes, use the past tense (or subjunctive 'were').

Real Conversations

A

A

Oh, I'm so stressed about this presentation. I wish I had another day to prepare.
B

B

I know the feeling. If only we had started earlier last week, right?
A

A

He's always leaving his dirty dishes in the sink. I wish he would clean up after himself!
B

B

Tell me about it. It's essential that everyone contribute to keeping the kitchen tidy.
A

A

I really regret missing that concert.
B

B

Me too! I wish I had bought tickets when they first went on sale. Now they're all sold out.

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between wish I had and

if only I had
?

Both express past regret using the past perfect.

If only I had
often conveys a slightly stronger, more emotional, or desperate sense of regret than wish I had.

Q

Can I use wish + would to talk about something I want to change about myself?

No, wish + would is generally used to express annoyance or a desire for *someone else's* behavior to change, or for an external situation to be different. For yourself, you'd use

I wish I were...
or
I wish I could...
.

Q

Is the English subjunctive common in everyday speech?

While less frequent than in more formal contexts, it does appear naturally, especially in phrases like

It is important that he be here
or
I recommend that she speak to the manager.
It's more common in formal writing or when emphasizing importance.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use wishes and regrets frequently in daily conversation, often as a way to bond or commiserate. The subjunctive, while more formal, is key for politeness in professional settings. Regional differences mostly involve 'was' vs 'were' for subjunctive (e.g.,
I wish I was taller
is common, but
I wish I were taller
is grammatically preferred and used formally).

重要な例文 (6)

1

I wish I `had woken up` earlier for my morning class.

Ojalá me hubiera despertado antes para mi clase de la mañana.

過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）
2

If only she `had brought` an umbrella, she wouldn't be soaked.

Si tan solo hubiera traído un paraguas, no estaría empapada.

過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）
3

I wish you would listen when I'm talking instead of looking at your phone.

Me gustaría que me escucharas cuando hablo en lugar de mirar tu teléfono.

Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する
4

My mom wishes her car wouldn't make that strange noise every time she starts it.

Mi madre desea que su coche no hiciera ese ruido extraño cada vez que lo enciende.

Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する
5

The manager recommended that she `be` more proactive in meetings.

El gerente recomendó que ella sea más proactiva en las reuniones.

英語の仮定法：要求と提案をする (be, go)
6

It is `essential that he go` through the onboarding process carefully.

Es esencial que él pase por el proceso de incorporación con cuidado.

英語の仮定法：要求と提案をする (be, go)

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

現在の後悔なのに過去形？

現実ではないことを言う時は、時制を一つ下げて過去形にするのが鉄則です。
I wish I had a car.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 現在の後悔を表す 'wish' の使い方
🎯

The 'That' Trick

You can always omit 'that' after 'wish'. 'I wish I had gone' sounds more natural than 'I wish that I had gone'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）
⚠️

The 'I' Trap

Never say 'I wish I would'. If you want to change your own habit, say 'I wish I didn't' or 'I wish I stopped'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する
🎯

The 'Be' Test

If you aren't sure if a sentence needs the subjunctive, try using the verb 'to be'. If 'be' sounds right (even if formal), it's a subjunctive structure.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の仮定法：要求と提案をする (be, go)

重要な語彙 (5)

Subjunctive A grammatical mood used for hypothetical or non-factual situations. Regret A feeling of sadness about something that happened in the past. Demand To ask for something in a forceful way. Annoyance The feeling of being slightly angry or irritated. Hypothetical Based on a situation that is not real.

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Office Conflict

Review Summary

  • Wish + Simple Past
  • Wish + Past Perfect
  • Wish + would + verb
  • Verb + that + subject + base form

よくある間違い

'Wish' requires a backshift in tense to indicate that the situation is hypothetical, not real.

Wrong: I wish I have more time.
正解: I wish I had more time.

When expressing annoyance about someone's behavior, use 'would', not 'will'.

Wrong: I wish he will stop.
正解: I wish he would stop.

The subjunctive requires the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject.

Wrong: I suggest that he is on time.
正解: I suggest that he be on time.

Next Steps

You have mastered some of the most nuanced structures in English. Keep practicing these in your daily correspondence!

Write a diary entry about a 'perfect day' you wish you had lived.

Continue to: 「もしも」の過去を読み解く：推量と可能性の助動詞マスター

クイック練習 (10)

Correct the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I wish I would be taller.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I wish I were taller.
Height is a state, not a behavior, so we use the past simple/subjunctive 'were'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する

現在の後悔を正しく表している文はどれですか？

正しい文を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We wish it weren't so cold today.
非現実的な現在の状態には過去形を使います。weren't は be動詞の正しい過去（仮定法）の形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 現在の後悔を表す 'wish' の使い方

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Regretting a past action:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I wish I hadn't gone.
The negative past regret uses 'hadn't' + past participle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I suggest that he doesn't be late for the interview.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: doesn't be
The negative subjunctive is 'not be,' not 'doesn't be.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の仮定法：要求と提案をする (be, go)

Find the mistake in this sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

If only I would have known you were coming!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would have
Replace 'would have' with 'had' for past regrets.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）

Fill in the blank with the correct modal.

I wish it ____ stop raining; I want to go for a walk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would
We use 'would' for the weather when we are annoyed by it.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する

Choose the correct form to express annoyance.

I wish my neighbor ____ playing loud music at 2 AM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would stop
We use 'would + verb' to express annoyance with someone else's behavior.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: いら立ちを表現する

Choose the correct verb form.

The manager insists that everyone ___ in the office by 9 AM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: be
After 'insists that,' we use the subjunctive base form 'be.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 英語の仮定法：要求と提案をする (be, go)

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

I didn't see the sign. I wish I ___ (see) it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had seen
For a past regret, use the Past Perfect (had + V3).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 過去の後悔：「Wish」と「If Only」の使い方（過去完了形）

文を完成させるために正しい動詞の形を選んでください。

I wish I ___ a celebrity. (be)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: were
'wish' の後で現在の非現実的な状況を表すには、過去形を使います。be動詞の場合、フォーマルな場ではすべての主語で 'were' を使うのが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 現在の後悔を表す 'wish' の使い方

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

今の状況を「こうだったらいいのに」と変えたい時に使います。
I wish I were there.
主語 + wish + (that) + 主語 + 過去形で作ります。
I wish I had a pet.
In formal English and exams, no. Use I wish I had. While common in some US dialects, it is considered a mistake in standard grammar.
If only is more emphatic and emotional. It often stands alone as an exclamation: If only I'd known!
No. You must use different subjects. For yourself, use 'wish + past simple' (e.g., I wish I didn't smoke).
It depends on your tone. It can be a polite request, but it often sounds like a complaint. In a professional setting, use I would appreciate it if you could... instead.
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