verb tense with since, if, and wish

The tense that follows since, if, and wish.

After since meaning from that time, the main clause often takes a present perfect: She has filed every brief since March. After if in a present contrary-to-fact clause, use were: If I were sure. After wish about the present, use a past form: I wish I knew. After wish about the past, use a past perfect: I wish I had known.

Examples

UseHe has lived here since June.

UseIf the latch were sound, we would leave.

UseI wish I had kept the copy.

AvoidIf the latch was sound, we would leave.