Wish, if only and would rather
Express wishes, regrets and preferences precisely with wish, if only, would rather, it’s time and as if.
In this lesson you will
- Use wish/if only with past, past perfect and would
- Use would rather and it’s (high) time + past
- Use as if / as though for unreal comparisons
Learn
wish / if only + past (present), + past perfect (past), + would (annoyance / wanting change in others), + could (ability): I wish I could stay longer.
would rather + infinitive (your preference): I’d rather stay in. would rather + someone + past (preference about another person): I’d rather you didn’t* smoke here.*
It’s (high / about) time + past = it should happen now: It’s time we left. It’s high time you got* a job.*
as if / as though + past for unreal comparisons: He talks as if* he knew everything* (he doesn’t).
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| wish + past | I wish I lived by the sea. |
| wish + past perfect | I wish I hadn’t sent that email. |
| wish + would | I wish the neighbours would be quieter. |
| would rather + past | I’d rather you called first. |
| it’s time + past | It’s time we went home. |
| as if + past | She acts as if she owned the place. |
Examples
- If only I’d taken the other job!
- I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone.
- It’s about time the council fixed this road.
- You look as if you’d seen a ghost.
Vocabulary
would rather
would prefer
high time
definitely the right time (and late)
as if
in a way that suggests
annoyance
a feeling of being irritated
preference
what you like better
Practice
I’d rather you ___ me the truth.
Speaking
Talk about things you wish were different, regrets, preferences (I’d rather…), things it’s high time you did, and people who act as if…
Writing
Write a humorous complaint (120–150 words) about your neighbours or flatmates using wish, would rather and it’s time.
Lesson quiz
I wish I ___ drive.
Review
Key points
- wish + past / past perfect / would / could.
- would rather + verb; would rather + person + past.
- It’s (high/about) time + past.
- as if / as though + past.
What you learned
- ✓ I can express wishes and regrets precisely.
- ✓ I can state preferences.
- ✓ I can make unreal comparisons.
Grammar reference: Wish and if only