I wish it had rained yesterday

Question

How would one say: "I wish it rained yesterday?"

Please say which tense you use after "Ojalá" or "Espero que." and why.

¡Gracias!

Answer 1

I wish it had rained yesterday. = Ojalá hubiera/hubiese llovido ayer.

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum!

Nicks, I don't believe that sentence works in English. I would say

"I wish it had rained yesterday".

I would not use "ojalá" or "espero que" to express that sentence in Spanish, but you might want to wait on a native speaker.

Yes, I wish it had rained is much better :) - FELIZ77, May 18, 2011

Answer 3

Past tense:

"Ojalá que hubiera llovido ayer." "If only it had rained yesterday."

"Esperaba que lloviera ayer." "I was hoping that it would rain yesterday."

The imperfect subjunctive is used because it is in the PAST tense, and it expresses "wish".

Present tense: "Ojalá que llueva hoy." "Hopefully it rains today"

"Espero que llueva hoy." "I hope it rains today"

The present subjunctive is used because it is in the PRESENT tense, and expresses "wish" or "anticipation". Hope this helps.