00 / Clauses & Questions
Wish / If only
Expressions 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.
B2Upper Intermediate
01 / 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.
02 / 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.
03 / 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. |
04 / 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.
05 / Practice
I don't have enough money to buy a car. (Rewrite using 'wish')
Show answer
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')
Show answer
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')
Show answer
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.