I wish I was or I wish I were: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct phrase depends on your context. In formal writing, use I wish I were because it follows the subjunctive mood. In casual speech, many people use I wish I was. Knowing the difference helps you sound polished and precise when expressing hypothetical desires or imaginary situations.

The Short Answer

I wish I were is the formal subjunctive; I wish I was is common in speech.

People confuse these two forms because the distinction between indicative and subjunctive moods has faded in modern English. Most speakers use was for all past-tense first-person statements without thinking about the grammatical nuance involved.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
I wish I were	Formal and Grammatically Standard	Writing professionally or expressing clear hypotheticals
I wish I was	Informal and Colloquial	Texting friends or speaking casually in relaxed settings
Subjunctive Mood	Grammatical Category	Discussing counterfactuals or wishes contrary to fact
Indicative Mood	Grammatical Category	Stating facts or describing real past events

Correct Example Sentences

I wish I were taller so I could reach the top shelf easily.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer immediately.
She wishes she were a professional painter by now.
I wish I were on a beach instead of stuck in traffic.
If I were the manager, I would change the dress code.
I wish I were fluent in three different languages already.
If I were rich, I would travel the world every single month.
She said she wished she were home by this hour.
I wish I were a bird so I could fly over the mountains.
If I were an expert chef, I would cook that recipe perfectly.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I wish I was a better singer.: I wish I were a better singer.
If I was you, I would study harder.: If I were you, I would study harder.
She wishes she was at the party.: She wishes she were at the party.
I wish I was living in Paris right now.: I wish I were living in Paris right now.
If I was the boss, I would leave early.: If I were the boss, I would leave early.
I wish I was able to help more.: I wish I were able to help more.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To check your usage, ask if the sentence describes a reality or a fantasy. If you are talking about something impossible or contrary to current facts, choose were. This mood signals that the statement is hypothetical rather than a literal description of your actual situation or past history.

Related Word Pairs

Less vs Fewer: Use fewer for countable items and less for uncountable quantities.
Lay vs Lie: Lay requires an object while lie does not need one.
Its vs It's: Its shows possession while it's is a contraction for it is.
Effect vs Affect: Affect is usually a verb while effect is usually a noun.
Then vs Than: Then relates to time while than is used for comparisons.

More Example Sentences

I wish I were a master of chess instead of just an average player.
If I were the mayor, I would plant more trees in the downtown area.
She wishes she were braver when it comes to public speaking events.
I wish I were able to speak Italian fluently during my next vacation.
If I were you, I would save that money for a rainy day.
He wishes he were closer to his family across the country.
I wish I were more organized with my daily schedule and tasks.
If I were a wizard, I would cast spells to clean my house instantly.
She wishes she were better at solving complex mathematical problems.
I wish I were invited to the exclusive gala last weekend.

Quick Practice

I wish I taller than my brother.

were

If she here, she would join the team immediately.

were

I wish I finished the project by Friday afternoon.

were

If I the CEO, I would offer better benefits.

were

She wishes she living near the coast.

were

If he you, he would apologize right now.

were

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'were' used for wishes?

We use were to signal the subjunctive mood, which handles hypothetical situations. It shows the statement is imaginary or contrary to fact, distinguishing it from simple past tense narration.

Can I use 'was' in essays?

In formal academic or professional writing, you should avoid using was for wishes. Stick to were to maintain grammatical precision and demonstrate a strong command of advanced sentence structure.

Is 'If I was' ever correct?

Yes, if you are referring to a real possibility in the past. For example, 'If I was rude, I apologize' refers to a potentially factual event, not a purely imaginary scenario.

Does this rule apply to all pronouns?

Yes, the subjunctive mood uses were for all subjects, including I, you, he, she, it, and they. The form remains consistent regardless of the subject to indicate hypothetical meaning.