Wish and if only

Definition

Wish and if only use special past forms to describe a present situation we want to be different, regret about the past, or a desired change in another person’s behaviour or a continuing situation.

Examples

• I wish I knew the answer.

  The past simple describes an unreal present situation.

• She wishes she had left earlier.

  The past perfect expresses regret about a past event.

• I wish the neighbours would be quieter.

  Would expresses a desired change in behaviour.

Present regret vs. past regret

Use a past simple form for an unreal present. Use the past perfect for regret about an earlier past event.

Would usually concerns change, not a stable state

Wish + would commonly expresses impatience, complaint or a desire for someone or something to change. It is not normally used simply to replace wish + past simple for the speaker’s own state.

• I wish this computer would stop crashing.

  The speaker wants a repeated problem to change.

• I wish I were more patient.

  A stable personal quality takes a past form, not normally would.

Common mistakes