In this sentence from a movie, ‘I could’ve killed him on that day, and I wished I would have. I’d be a happier man today,’ the phrase ‘I wished I would have’ may seem unusual because it differs from the more common ‘I wished I had.’ Let’s break down the use of these two expressions and explore why the speaker chooses one over the other.
1. Understanding ‘I wished I had’ (Past Unreal Conditional)
‘I wished I had’ is the standard form for expressing regret or an unreal condition in the past. This structure is used to reflect something that did not happen but is desired or regretted. In this case, ‘I wished I had killed him’ would imply that the speaker is reflecting on a past action (or lack thereof) and expressing a regret for not having done it.
This form is typically used in conditional sentences to express hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations in the past, known as the past unreal conditional.
2. What does ‘I wished I would have’ mean?
‘I wished I would have’ is a more informal and colloquial expression. It can still express regret or longing for something that did not happen in the past, but it carries a slight difference in nuance. In this case, the speaker is expressing a strong desire or regret for an action they could have taken. The ‘would have’ adds a sense of inevitability or emotional intensity to the regret, as if the speaker believes they were almost destined to make a different choice but did not.
This construction can be considered a non-standard or less formal way to convey past unreal situations. It is often used in speech or informal writing to make the sentiment feel more immediate or relatable.
3. Why ‘I wished I would have’ in this context?
The choice of ‘I wished I would have’ in this sentence reflects the speaker’s emotional involvement with the regret. It implies that the speaker feels a deep sense of longing for an action they could have taken but did not. The use of ‘would have’ emphasizes the emotional weight and personal responsibility the speaker feels about the situation.
In many cases, this usage serves to make the regret feel more conversational and real-time, which fits with the tone and style of the dialogue in films or casual speech.
4. When to use ‘I wished I had’ vs ‘I wished I would have’
While ‘I wished I had’ is grammatically more formal and standard in expressing past regrets, ‘I wished I would have’ is often used in casual conversation to emphasize the emotional aspect of the regret. Both forms are correct, but the choice between them depends on the tone and style of communication.
If you’re writing or speaking formally, ‘I wished I had’ is more appropriate. However, in everyday speech or informal settings, ‘I wished I would have’ may feel more natural and relatable, especially when trying to express a strong emotional reaction.
5. Conclusion: The Emotional Impact of Language
In the case of ‘I wished I would have,’ the speaker is using language that conveys deep emotion and personal regret. While ‘I wished I had’ would also express regret, the use of ‘would have’ makes the sentiment feel more vivid and immediate. The difference lies in the tone and emotional weight the speaker intends to communicate. Whether you choose ‘I wished I had’ or ‘I wished I would have’ depends on the context and the emotional message you wish to convey.
Ultimately, understanding the subtle distinctions between these phrases can help you express past regrets more effectively, whether in casual conversation or formal writing.
コメント