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Regrets, Complaints and Preferences

Regrets, Complaints and Preferences

Reference

Rule Example
past regretwish / if only + had + PPI wish I had studied.
complaintwish + person + wouldI wish you would listen.
preference (me)'d rather + infinitiveI'd rather stay in.
preference (you)'d rather + you + pastI'd rather you didn't.
it's timeit's (high) time + subject + pastIt's time we left.

Common mistakes

  1. I wish I didn't say that yesterday. → I wish I hadn't said that yesterday.
    past regret → past perfect
  2. I wish I would be taller. → I wish I were taller.
    wish + would is for others, not yourself
  3. I'd rather you don't tell anyone. → I'd rather you didn't tell anyone.
    would rather + another person → past
  4. It's time we go home. → It's time we went home.
    it's time + subject + past

Regrets, Complaints and Preferences — Exercises

Choose the correct form

Circle the correct answer.

  1. I failed the test. I wish I _____ more. (had revised / revised / would revise)
  2. If only I _____ that message — now she's angry. (hadn't sent / didn't send / wouldn't send)
  3. I wish you _____ leaving your shoes in the hall! (would stop / stopped / had stopped)
  4. I'd rather _____ at home tonight. (stay / stayed / to stay)
  5. I'd rather you _____ my diary. (didn't read / don't read / won't read)
  6. It's high time you _____ your room. (tidied / tidy / will tidy)
  7. I wish it _____ snowing — I want to go out. (would stop / stopped / had stopped)
  8. It's time _____ — the film starts in ten minutes. (to go / going / go)

Complete the sentence

Write the verb in brackets in the correct form.

  1. I didn't bring my coat. I wish I   it. (bring)
  2. I wish my brother   my things without asking. (not / take)
  3. I'd rather you   me in the morning. (call)
  4. It's time we   the decorations down. (take)
  5. If only I   to her advice! (listen)
  6. Would you rather   the bus or walk? (take)

Regrets, Complaints and Preferences — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

  1. had revised — Past regret → had revised.
  2. hadn't sent — Past regret → hadn't sent.
  3. would stop — Complaint about someone → would stop.
  4. stay — would rather + infinitive (same person): stay.
  5. didn't read — would rather + another person + past: didn't read.
  6. tidied — It's high time + past: tidied.
  7. would stop — Impatience about a situation → would stop.
  8. to go — It's time + to + infinitive (neutral).

Complete the sentence

  1. had brought
  2. wouldn't take
  3. called
  4. took
  5. had listened
  6. take