which of the two sentences is correct?
By CrimsonSpork
@Manasha (2933)
Pondicherry, India
1 response
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
4 Sep 12
"I wish [that] I had known." is correct. "I wish [that] I could have known." is also correct. The use of 'would' in the future perfect construction is incorrect here, probably because it is not a matter of choice ('will') that one did not know but a matter of ability ('can').
The use of 'that' is somewhat optional in English. It is used mostly to make a slight emphasis and to give a different rhythm to the sentence. In the equivalent construction in French, the equivalent word 'que' is required.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
4 Sep 12
The following ARE correct but all have slightly different meanings:
"I would have known if you had told me." (= 'I'm sure that I would have known if I had been told')
"I could have known [something]" (= 'it's possible that I did know but I may have forgotten' OR 'it would have been possible for me to know if I had paid attention/had bothered to look it up'. Could implies the possibility of something happening.
"I might/may have known [something]" is almost equivalent to "I could have known" but with rather less certainty about its possibility.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
4 Sep 12
"... probably because it is not a matter of choice ('will') that one did not know but a matter of ability ('can')."
On reflection, I believe that the above is not a very good description of the reason why 'would' is wrong. One nearly always wishes that oneself (in the first person) "could" or "might" do something. It is sometimes acceptable to wish that someone/something else "would" do something.
@Manasha (2933)
• Pondicherry, India
4 Sep 12
sir, I am really indebted to you for your time that you had spent here. Thanks sir, I have become your fan now. You are so special to me.sir , Hats off.
