Ch 20
Wish and If Only
I wish I had… · If only I could… · regret and hypothetical past
We use wish and if only when we are not happy with a situation and imagine it different. If only is stronger.
I wish I had a dog.
I don't have a dog — and I want one.
If only it was the weekend!
It isn't the weekend.
I wish / If only + subject + past simple
Reality
I live in a small flat.
Wish
I wish I lived in a big house.
Reality
I don't know her number.
Wish
I wish I knew her number.
Past form, present meaning — like the second conditional.
I wish I could speak Japanese.
I can't speak Japanese.
If only I could come to your party!
I can't come.
She wishes she could swim.
he / she / it → wishes.
I wish I were taller.
were for all persons (was is common in speech).
I wish it weren't so cold today.
Negative wish.
If only we were on holiday!
If only = a stronger wish.
I wish / If only + subject + had + past participle
I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
I ate too much — I feel bad now.
If only I had studied for the test!
I didn't study — I regret it.
I wish I have a car.
→
I wish I had a car.
present situation → past simple
I wish I can drive.
→
I wish I could drive.
can → could after wish
I wish I didn't eat that last night.
→
I wish I hadn't eaten that last night.
past regret → past perfect
She wish she was older.
→
She wishes she was older.
he / she → wishes
Make wishes — about now and about the past.
1
Say three things you wish were different in your life now.
2
What do you wish you could do?
3
Say one thing you wish you had done (or hadn't done) last year.
4
Look out of the window. Make a wish with If only…
Recap
wish + past simple
present situation
I wish I had a dog.
wish + could
ability
I wish I could swim.
wish + were
with be
I wish I were taller.
wish + had + PP
past regret
I wish I had studied.