Questions and Answers About the Subjunctive Mood

One of my email subscribers (you can join here) contacted me with some questions about the subjunctive mood. I emailed him back with my answers and then realized this could make a great blog post.

My student gave me his permission to post this information. Hopefully it’s helpful for you as well. Here’s what I wrote him…

Sorry it has taken me a few days to respond. First, here is a great post that I found about the subjunctive mood: http://www.englishgrammar.org/subjunctive-mood-english/. Second, I have copied your questions, and then replied in bold below:

(Question #1) Is it correct to say “I wish I would have something done?” Or is it used for another pronouns (like I wish + he/she/we/they would…etc.)?

It’s correct to say, “I wish I would have done something,” not “something done.” And yes, you can use other pronouns: “He wished he would have gone to the concert.” “She wished he would have mowed the lawn.”

(Question #2) Or is it just another form saying “I wish I had?” And what are the differences between “I wish + I would have + v3… ” and “I wish + I had + v3…?”

Those have almost identical meanings. You could use either one. 

(Question #3) As I remember – I wish I did – reference to the present, I wish I had done – reference to the past, I wish I would do – reference to he future…Am I right?

No, you’re not quite right. “I wish I did” is a reference to regret about the past. “I wish I had done” is a reference to the past written in perfect tense, meaning that the action in the past somehow affects the present. “I wish I would do” is a reference to a habit the present. “I wish I would fish more often.”

I hope that helps! 

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