wish & if only
Wishing about the present, the past and annoying habits.
The rules
- Present wishes shift back one tense: "wish I were" (unreal present).
- Past regrets: "wish + past perfect": "had studied".
- "Wish + would" complains about others' repeated behaviour.
- "If only" works like "wish": past form for present wishes.
- Past regret: "wish + had + past participle".
- "Can" shifts to "could" after "wish": "wish I could".
Examples
- I wish I were taller.
- She wishes she had studied harder for the exam last month.
- I wish you would stop interrupting me.
- If only we had more time!
- I wish I had known earlier.
- I wish I could fly.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.I wish I _____ taller.
2.She wishes she _____ harder for the exam last month.
3.Which sentence complains about a habit?
4.If only we _____ more time!
5.Which sentence is correct?