I wish it was true vs I wish it were true

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I wish it was true' is used in informal situations, while 'I wish it were true' is used in more formal or polite contexts. The use of 'were' in the second phrase is the subjunctive mood, which is often used to express hypothetical or unreal situations.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 199 views

This phrase is correct in informal contexts.

"I wish it was true"

This phrase is commonly used in informal conversations to express a wish or desire about something that is not true.

Examples:

I wish it was sunny today.
I wish it was Friday already.
I wish it was easier to understand.
I wish it was possible to travel back in time.
I wish it was all a bad dream.

Show examples from the web [+]

I wish it was true
In many ways I wish it was.
I wish it was right now.
Trust me, I wish it wasn't the case.
I wish it was a corsage.
I wish it was that easy, Reilly.
I wish it was something bigger.
I wish it was through the head.
Think yourself smart. I wish it was me.
I wish it was the same for women.
I wish it was a less disturbing feeling.
I wish it was a lie.
I wish it was the level-headed reaction of a professional policeman...
I'm really sorry. I wish it was different.
I wish it was for fishing season.
I wish it was like that with Jamie.
I wish it was for a different occasion.
I wish it was that simple, Tony.
And right now, I wish it was me.
Frankly, I wish it was the gallows.
I wish it was for any other reason.

Alternatives:

I wish it were true
I wish it were so
I wish it were possible
I wish it were different
I wish it were easier

This phrase is correct in formal or polite contexts.

"I wish it were true"

This phrase is used in more formal or polite situations to express a wish or desire about something that is not true. The use of 'were' in this phrase is the subjunctive mood.

Examples:

I wish it were sunny today.
I wish it were Friday already.
I wish it were easier to understand.
I wish it were possible to travel back in time.
I wish it were all a bad dream.

Show examples from the web [+]

I wish it were true, little lord.
I wish it were true, but it's simply not.
Don't believe him. It's a pious hope, I wish it were true, but I think the other day he admitted to me it's really an ugly universe.
I wish it were true.
I wish it were true, little lord.
Nowhere near as much as I wish it were true, friend.
Nowhere near as much as I wish it were true, friend.
I wish it were true.

Alternatives:

I wish it was true
I wish it was so
I wish it was possible
I wish it was different
I wish it was easier

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