Wish / If only
B2 Upper IntermediateExpressions used to express regret about a current situation or a desire for a different past outcome. They indicate that the speaker wants reality to be different from what it actually is.
Overview
The structures wish and if only are used to express that the speaker is unhappy with a situation. If only is generally more emphatic than wish, often implying a stronger sense of regret or longing.
- Use the past simple to express a desire for a different present.
- Use the past perfect to express regret about a past event.
- Use would to express annoyance or a desire for someone else's behavior to change.
Form
Subject + wish / If only + Past Simple (Present) or Past Perfect (Past)
The tense used after these expressions shifts 'backwards' in time to show that the situation is hypothetical rather than real.
Present vs. Past Regrets
Note that with the verb be, the form were is often used for all persons in formal contexts (e.g., 'I wish I were taller').
| Time Reference | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Past Simple | I wish I lived in a warmer climate. |
| Past | Past Perfect | If only I had studied harder for the exam. |
| Future/Behavior | would + infinitive | I wish it would stop raining. |
Common mistakes
I wish I will go to the party tomorrow.
I wish I could go to the party tomorrow.
We do not use 'will' after wish; use 'could' for ability or 'would' for a desired change.
I wish I didn't eat so much last night.
I wish I hadn't eaten so much last night.
Regrets about the past require the past perfect, not the past simple.
Practice
I don't have enough money to buy a car. (Rewrite using 'wish')
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I wish I had enough money to buy a car.
Answer:I wish I had enough money to buy a car.
Why:To express a desire for a different present situation, the past simple is used.
It's a pity I didn't see the film yesterday. (Rewrite using 'if only')
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If only I had seen the film yesterday.
Answer:If only I had seen the film yesterday.
Why:Regrets about the past require the past perfect (had + past participle).
My neighbor keeps playing loud music and it's annoying. (Rewrite using 'wish' and 'would')
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I wish my neighbor would stop playing loud music.
Answer:I wish my neighbor would stop playing loud music.
Why:We use 'wish + would' to express dissatisfaction with a situation or someone's behavior that we want to change.