Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[rayt]

Hi!

I have got a question��


I don�t have a mobile phone (and I need one).
�a. I wish I could have a mobile phone.
�b. I wish I had a mobile phone.

For a and b, could please tell me which should I use? Why and why not!

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[pugachevV]

I wish I had a mobile phone is the better answer. It means you want one and you haven't got one. Or perhaps you have one and you haven't got it with you. (Maybe your car just ran out of gas).
I wish I could have a mobile phone implies that there is something stopping you from having a mobile phone. (e.g. Perhaps your parents won't let you have one).