Wish and If Only
We use WISH and IF ONLY to express regrets or desires about situations that are not real. Both have the same meaning; 'if only' is more emphatic and emotional.
For present/future wishes (something is not true now): wish/if only + past simple. "I wish I had more time." For past regrets (something was not true in the past): wish/if only + past perfect. "I wish I had studied harder." For wishes about annoying habits (wanting something to change): wish + would + base verb. "I wish you would listen to me."
Compare with second conditional (if I had... I would...) and third conditional (if I had had... I would have...): the wish/if only structures express the same ideas but from a first-person emotional perspective.
| Type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present wish (not true now) | wish / if only + past simple | I wish I knew the answer. |
| Past regret (not true in the past) | wish / if only + past perfect | I wish I had studied harder. |
| Wish about someone's behaviour | wish + subject + would + base verb | I wish he would stop talking. |
| Strong emotion | If only + ... | If only I had listened to her! |
⚠ After 'I wish' / 'if only', use WERE (not 'was') for formal/written English: 'I wish I were taller.' Both 'were' and 'was' are accepted in spoken English.
⚠ Don't use 'wish + would' to talk about yourself: ✗ I wish I would pass → ✓ I wish I could pass / I hope I pass
- I wish I lived closer to the city centre.
- If only I had taken that job — I'd be earning much more now.
- She wishes she could speak French fluently.
- I wish you would turn that music down — I'm trying to work.
- If only we had booked earlier, the tickets would have been cheaper.
- He wishes he had chosen a different career.
- I wish it were summer already. I'm tired of this cold weather.
- If only I had listened to her advice — she was right all along.
- I wish I would have a bigger flat. → I wish I had a bigger flat. For present wishes, use wish + past simple. Don't use 'would have' here.
- If only I studied harder last year. → If only I had studied harder last year. For past regrets, use wish/if only + past perfect ('had studied'), not past simple.
- I wish I would pass the exam. → I wish I could pass the exam. / I hope I pass the exam. Don't use 'wish + would' about yourself. Use 'wish + could' for ability or 'hope' for future.
- She wishes she will get the promotion. → She wishes she would get / could get the promotion. After 'wish', use past or conditional forms — never 'will'.
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
- I wish I _____ (know / knew / would know) how to cook.
- If only we _____ (arrived / had arrived / would arrive) on time.
- She wishes she _____ (could speak / will speak / spoke) Japanese.
- I wish you _____ (stop / stopped / would stop) interrupting me.
- He wishes he _____ (doesn't take / hadn't taken / wouldn't take) that job.
Each sentence contains one mistake. Find and correct it.
- I wish I would have more free time.
- If only he listened more carefully last week.
- She wishes she will become a doctor one day.
- I wish I would pass my exams tomorrow.
Write a 'wish' or 'if only' sentence for each situation.
You can't drive. → I wish I could drive. / If only I knew how to drive.
- Your city doesn't have a good public transport system.
- You said something you regret.
- A friend keeps arriving late.
- You didn't study a particular subject at school.
- You don't know a famous person personally.
Rewrite each sentence using 'wish' or 'if only'.
It's a shame I can't come to the party. → I wish I could come to the party.
- It's a shame I didn't apply for that scholarship.
- She regrets not learning to play the piano as a child.
- He always leaves his things on the floor. It's so annoying.
- It's a pity I don't have more confidence.
- It's a shame we didn't take more photos on that trip.
Complete using the correct form: past simple, past perfect, or would + base verb.
- I wish I _____ (know) how to swim — I'd love to try diving.
- If only she _____ (not / quit) her job last month.
- He wishes his neighbours _____ (make) less noise in the evenings.
- I wish I _____ (study) medicine instead of law.
- If only we _____ (have) more time — there's so much left to do.
- She wishes her boss _____ (give) her more responsibility.
- If only I _____ (listen) to my teacher — she was right.
- I wish the weather _____ (be) warmer. I'm freezing.
Use 'wish' and 'if only' to discuss regrets, wishes, and things you'd like to change.
- Is there a subject you wish you had studied at school or university? What would be different now?
- Think of one decision in your life that you wish you had made differently. What happened?
- Is there something about your city, country, or the world that you wish were different?
- Think of someone whose behaviour you wish would change. What do you wish they would do differently?
For each topic, try to use a different wish structure: past simple (present wish), past perfect (past regret), and would (about someone's behaviour).