Wish and If Only helps you communicate about unreal present wishes, past regrets and desired changes. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can express wishes, regrets and complaints about present and past situations.
- Recognise and build the form: wish/if only + past; wish/if only + past perfect; wish + would.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Wish and If Only for unreal present wishes, past regrets and desired changes. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
I wish I had more free time.
Use a past form after 'wish' for an unreal present situation.
She wishes she lived closer to her family.
Use the past simple for a present situation she wants to be different.
If only we had taken the earlier train yesterday.
Use the past perfect after 'if only' for a past regret.
wish/if only + past; wish/if only + past perfect; wish + wouldKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use a past form after 'wish' for an unreal present situation.
- Use the past simple for a present situation she wants to be different.
- Use the past perfect after 'if only' for a past regret.
- Use 'wish + would' to complain about another person's repeated behaviour.
- Use the past perfect for regret about completed past behaviour.
Common mistakes
Not:I wish I have more free time.
Use:I wish I had more free time.
Use a past form after 'wish' for an unreal present situation.
Not:She wishes she lives closer to her family.
Use:She wishes she lived closer to her family.
Use the past simple for a present situation she wants to be different.
Not:If only we took the earlier train yesterday.
Use:If only we had taken the earlier train yesterday.
Use the past perfect after 'if only' for a past regret.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
I wish you ____ making that noise.
would stop
Use 'wish + would' to complain about another person's repeated behaviour.
He wishes he ____ so rude at the meeting.
hadn't been
Use the past perfect for regret about completed past behaviour.
If only it ____ raining!
would stop
'If only + would' expresses a strong desire for a situation to change.