Conditionals · Upper-intermediate (B2)
Wish and if only
Express wishes and regrets: I wish I had more time. I wish I hadn’t said that.
The rules
Wish + past simple = you want the present to be different: I wish I lived near the sea. I wish I were taller.
Wish + past perfect = regret about the past: I wish I had studied medicine. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much.
Wish + would = annoyance or wanting someone else to change: I wish you would stop interrupting. If only is a stronger version: If only I had listened!
Examples
- I wish I could speak Japanese.
- She wishes she hadn’t sold her car.
- I wish it would stop raining.
- If only we had more time!
Common mistakes
✗ I wish I have a car.
✓ I wish I had a car.
Present wish → past form.
✗ I wish I didn’t go.
✓ I wish I hadn’t gone.
Past regret → past perfect.
Practice
I wish I ___ the answer.
Quiz
1.He wishes he ___ taller.
2.Complete the sentence.
3.“I wish + would” is often used for things that annoy us.
4.Put the words in the right order.