从句用过去式或过去进行式(时间上是同时的)。其句子结构为：宾语从句的谓语be和were(was)，实义动词用过去式。例：
1. I wish (that可省略,下同)I knew the answer to the question.(wish, 动词过去式knew)我希望知道这个答案。(事实上是不知道)
2. I wish it were spring in my hometown all the year around.(wish, were)但愿我的家乡四季如春。(事实上不可能)
3. I wish I were a bird.(wish, were)但愿我是只小鸟。(事实上不可能)
4. When she was at the party,she wished she were at home.(wished,过去虚拟动词were)(事实上并不在家)
5. Now that he is in China, he wishes he understood Chinese.(wishes,过去虚拟动词understood)
现在他在中国，他希望能懂得中文。(事实上并不懂)
6. When we begin the trip, they will wish they were with us.(will wish,过去虚拟动词were)(事实上并不和我们在一起)
二)、对过去情况的虚拟(和过去的事实相反)：
用wish表示对过去事情的遗憾。其句子结构为：宾语从句的谓语用过去完成时，或would, could, might+现在完成时。例：
1. I wish (that可省略，下同)I hadn't wasted so much time.
我后悔不该浪费这么多时间。(事实上已浪费了)
2. He wishes he hadn't lost the chance.
他真希望没有失去机会。(其实已失去)
3. We wished he had spoken to us.
(wished，had + spoken)(事实上他并没同我们讲)
4. I wish you had called earlier.
(wish, had + called)(事实上已迟了)
5. They will wish they had listened to us sooner.
(will wish,had + listened)(事实上并不如此)