I wish I were younger. vs I wish I was younger.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I wish I were younger' is the subjunctive mood, used to express hypothetical or unreal situations. 'I wish I was younger' is more informal and is commonly used in everyday speech.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 30, 2024 • 12713 views

I wish I were younger.

This phrase is correct and is used in the subjunctive mood to express hypothetical or unreal situations.

This phrase is used when expressing a wish for something that is not true or possible, such as being younger.

Show examples from the web [+]

I wish I had a picture of you when you were younger.
I wish I had a video camera when I was younger.
I wish I was 15 years younger.
He couldn't control himself any more than my learned friend here could wish himself younger.
Well, if I'm wishing for stuff, I wish I was six years younger.
I wish I had seen a show like this when I was younger.
- I wish I was 15 years younger.
Taken to road races when I were younger.
I just wish I were a lot older or a lot younger.
I wish I were here with better news.
I wish I were one of those poetical types.
I wish I were like you, Oscar, strong.
I wish I were married to Keane. I'd make him jump through hoops.
I wish I were less aware of the reality.
I wish I were there, too.
- Yes... but I wish I weren't.
I wish I were sure we'd tried everything.
I wish I were a better friend to him.
Paradoxically, I wish I were drinking more.
There is a girl that I wish I were with tonight.

Alternatives:

I wish I were taller.
If I were you, I would...
I wish I were a millionaire.
I wish I were in Hawaii.
I wish I were more confident.

I wish I was younger.

This phrase is correct and is commonly used in informal speech to express a wish for something that is not true or possible.

This phrase is used in everyday conversation when expressing a desire to be younger.

Show examples from the web [+]

I wish I was 15 years younger.
Well, if I'm wishing for stuff, I wish I was six years younger.
- I wish I was 15 years younger.
I wish I had a video camera when I was younger.
I wish I had seen a show like this when I was younger.
He couldn't control himself any more than my learned friend here could wish himself younger.
I wish I had a picture of you when you were younger.
I wrote them when I was younger.
He's just like me when I was younger.
This did not happen when I was younger.
Dating was simpler when i was younger.
Ah. It must have been when I was younger.
My mentor has set me free when I was younger.
I used to love that game when I was younger.
I figured that acting more psycho than everyone else when I was younger.
I should have been more serious when I was younger.
Things were simpler when I was younger.
I had a disorder when I was younger.
But I went here when I was younger.
I did a little modelling when I was younger.

Alternatives:

I wish I was taller.
I wish I was in better shape.
I wish I was more organized.
I wish I was on vacation.
I wish I was a better cook.

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I wish I were younger. vs I wish I was younger.

I wish I were younger.

I wish I was younger.

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