Into the Woods: Wish + to + Infinitive

We can use 'wish' with the infinitive to mean 'would like' or 'want to'. This is very formal. We don't usually use a continuous tense with 'wish' in this case.

I wish to speak to the school principal. (This means the same as 'I would like to speak to him/her.)

I wish to go now. (This means 'I want to go now'.)


However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what  they are, that we have regrets about the present situation.

I wish I was (were) rich.

She wishes her son was (were) smarter.

Watch the movie segment and write down a few sentences about what the characters wish to do.

WORKSHEET 

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - INTO THE WOODS

The 33: Wish x Would Like

In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic explosion and collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine. Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions—and time—were quickly running out. It was a struggle for survival.

Work in groups:

Imagine you were locked inside a cave for 69 days, eating very poorly. Make a list of the first things you would like to do.

Watch the movie segment. The 33 miners are having their last meal and provision - one can of tuna fish  for 33 people. Write down 5 things they wish they could do, but they can't.

1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3 _____________________________________________
4 _____________________________________________
5 _____________________________________________


WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE 33

Maleficent & The Monkey's Paw: Wish for

The Monkey's Paw is a classic story that has been told from generation to generation for years. I suggest you use it with ADULTS only. Maleficent, on the other hand, is a new blockbuster and can be used with students of all ages. I love Maleficent. It is just great.

MALEFICENT:





THE MONKEY'S PAW


"The Monkey's Paw" is a supernatural short story by author W. W. Jacobs first - published in England in 1902.

In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of the monkey's paw, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.

Be careful what you wish for (it might just happen) used for telling someone to think carefully about the changes that they would like in their life, as they might not make them any happier. If you get things that you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences.

Remember:


WISH FOR + NOUN
WISH TO + NOUN CLAUSE
WISH SOMEONE SOMETHING

I. How would you explain these other idioms?

One Wish, a Thousand Regrets.

With Every Wish, There Comes a Curse.

II. Watch the movie segment from the movie The Monkey's Paw and answer the questions with a partner.

1. What did the characters wish for?

2. What were the consequences?

3. What would you wish for if you found the monkey's paw. Write down three wishes.

II. Now watch the segment from the movie Maleficent and answer the questions:

1. What did the fairies wish for the princess?

2. What did Maleficent wish for?

III. Work with a partner:

What would you wish for the following people? Work with a friend and write at least one sentence for each of the items below. Follow the grammar instructions to create your sentences.

• The president of your country
• Your parents
• Your best friend
• The world population
• Africans with Ebola
• Animals in danger of extinction

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MALEFICENT

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE MONKEY'S PAW

The Secret Life of Water Mitty: Wish

This is such a strong character that his name became a dictionary entry. The definition is below and the plot revolves around the character's personality. The movie, though, did not meet my expectations.

Walter Mitty

noun, plural Walter Mittys.

an ordinary, timid person who is given to adventurous and 
self-aggrandizing daydreams or secret plans as away of 
glamorizing a humdrum life. 
In his heroic daydreams, Mitty does not triumph, several fantasies being interrupted before they actually happen.

I. Watch the movie segment about Walter Mitty.  Mitty wishes he could have done a few things in order to win Cheryl's attention over. Write at least three different things.

II. Now rewrite the sentences below and the ones you came up with, expressing wishes.

1. He did not manage to leave a wink to Cheryl. 

2. HE did not jump through Cheryl's apartment window.

3. He did not save her three-legged dog, Chips.


III. Discuss:

Have you ever felt like Walter Mitty? Have you ever thought that you could have done something to prevent a situation from happening, but you failed to do it? Talk about it.


Answer key:

1. He wishes he could have left a wink to Cheryl.

2. He wishes he had jumped through Cheryl's apartment window.

3. He wishes he had saved her three-legged dog, Chips.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Wish x Hope

This is one of my  favorite movies. The story is fascinating. It has the magic of cinema telling an impossible and far fetched, but moving story of an amazing couple. I have seen it several times!

 The word “hope” is used to talk about POSSIBLE situations that we desire in the past, present or future. The important thing to note is that these situations are POSSIBLE. 

“Wish” is used to talk about situations that we desire, but which are the opposite of the current reality or which are IMPOSSIBLE. 

I. Here are a few things a mother told her daughter during her childhood and adolescence years. Now she regrets having said that. Rewrite the sentences, expressing regrets by using WISH.

1. I can't kiss you goodnight.

2. I can't take you to your first day of school.

3. I can't be there to teach you to play piano.

4. I can't tell you not to chase some boy.

5. I can't hold you when you have a broken heart.

6. I can't be your father.

II. Now imagine her father telling her what he would like her daughter to be/have in her future years. Rewrite them, using HOPE.

1. Make the best of it.

2. See things that startle you.

3. Feel things you never felt before.

4. Meet people with  different point of view.

5.  Live a life you can be proud of.

6. Have the strength to start all over again.

III. Now watch the movie segment and check your answers.

 

 IV.

Work with a partner. Come up with 3 sentences expressing regrets, using wish. Your sentences have to be true. They can be about your lives, your country, the world, whatever comes to your mind.

V. Come up with 3 sentences expressing desires you would like to come true, using hope.

Answer key:

I. 

I wish I could have kissed you goodnight.

I wish I could have taken you to your first day of school.

I wish I could have been there to teach you to play piano.

I wish I could have told you not to chase some boy.

I wish I could have held you when you had a broken heart.

I wish I could have been your father.

II.

I hope you make the best of it.

I hope you see things that startle you.

I hope you feel things that you never felt before.

I hope you meet people with a different point of view.

I hope you live a life you're proud of.

I hope you have the strength to start all over again

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
'

Click: Regrets with Past Modal SHOULD and WISH

This movie provides us with entertainment and food for thought when it comes to our life choices. Having a remote control to extend my favorite moments of the day sounds like a dream, but we have to deal with its consequences. This scene is really touching.

 

Work in pairs:

1. Are you an impulsive person or do you mull an idea over for a long time before taking action?

2. How does it affect your life decisions? Have you ever regretted a decision you have taken? Give examples.

3. Think about three things that you regret having done in your life. Share them with your partner.

4. Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time? Explain it.

5. Imagine that you had a remote control that would allow extending your most pleasurable moments and speeding up your boring moments. Which moments would you extend and which ones would you speed up? Think at least about 5 different moments for each situation.

Watch the movie segment and discuss the questions:

- Is the scene about the past, present or future?

- Can he change his past? Why (not)?

- How does he feel about his relationship with his father?

Make a list of 5 things he regrets. Use both should have + past participle and wish.

EX: He wishes he had spent more time with his dad OR He should have spent more time with his dad.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - CLICK

The Amazing Spider-Man: Wish

The Spider-Man is one of my favorite cartoon characters. The movies are great and this scene, which is about getting even, is excellent for a contextualized practice on WISH.


 I. Watch the segment and decide whether the sentences about Flash are true or false.



1. Flash humiliated Gordon in front of everyone.

2. Flash threw Gordon on the ground.

3. Flash reacted and punched Parker.

4. Flash disappointed Gwen because he hadn't done his homework.

5. Flash did not know that Parker was so good at basketball.


II. Now write sentences expressing Flash's regrets, using WISH. Use the items in Exercise I.


1. Flash wishes ______________________________________________________ .

2. ________________________________________________________________ .

3. ________________________________________________________________ .

4. _________________________________________________________________ .

5. _________________________________________________________________ .

III. Talk to a partner.

1. Did Flash deserve being humiliated in front of everyone because of his attitude. Justify it.

2. Was Parker right when he decided to get even with Flash? Explain it.

3. Have you ever taken action to stop bullying in your school? Why (not)?

4. Who should be punished by the School Coordination? Flash, Parker, both or none of them? Why?


WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Answer key:


1. Flash wishes he hadn't humiliated...
2. He wishes he hadn't thrown...
3. He wishes he hadn't  reacted and punched...
4. He wishes he hadn't disappointed... OR He wishes he had done his homework.
5. He wishes he had known that Parker was...