Explanation
Exercises
Expressing Wishes & Regrets — I wish / If only
B1 Upper-Intermediate Hypothetical present • Past regrets • Complaints

Three core patterns

MeaningFormExample
Unreal present/future (things you want different now or later) I wish / If only + past simple/continuous I wish I were taller. • If only we were living by the sea.
Past regret (something happened / didn’t happen) I wish / If only + past perfect (had + V3) I wish I hadn’t quit my job. • If only they had arrived earlier.
Annoyance & change (you want a person/thing to change) I wish + subject + would + V1 I wish you would stop interrupting. • I wish it would stop raining.

That is optional (I wish (that) I were…). The “past” forms here show distance from reality, not past time.

Unreal present & future

  • Ability Use could: I wish I could drive.
  • Ongoing plan Use past continuous: I wish you were coming with us.
  • be: was/were Both occur after I/he/she/it; were is more formal/common in grammar rules: I wish it were easier.
  • Passive I wish the room were cleaned already.

Past regrets & missed ability

  • Simple regret I wish we hadn’t wasted the money.
  • Missed chance/ability wish + could have + V3: I wish I could have gone to the concert.
  • Past continuous to regret an ongoing past action: I wish I hadn’t been working so late that month.

would for complaints & willingness

  • Use would to ask for a change in behaviour or a situation: I wish the neighbours would turn down the music.
  • Not about yourself: we normally do not say *I wish I would… (except for willingness: I wish I would stop worrying is unusual → prefer I wish I could stop).
  • With things we can’t control (weather, traffic) would expresses frustration: I wish it would snow less.

If only = stronger emotion

  • Same grammar as I wish but more emphatic/exclamatory.
  • If only I were a bit taller! • If only you had listened! • If only they would answer my emails.

Often used with an exclamation mark for strong feeling.

Hope vs wish

UseFormExample
Realistic future hope + present/future I hope she passes. / I hope it will stop raining.
Unreal/contrary to fact wish + past / past perfect / would I wish she were here. / I wish it would stop.

Style & mini-pitfalls

  • After I wish / If only we do not use will for the present: ✖ I wish you will come → ✔ I wish you would come.
  • Don’t mix times: present wish → past form; past regret → had + V3.
  • Advice formula: If I were you, I’d… (not *was* in careful English).
Exercises:
1
2
3

Expressing Wishes & Regrets: “I wish / If only”

Choose the correct options to complete the text.
1
Dear Mia, I feel out of place here. I wish I this internship.
2
If only I to you before I signed the contract.
3
The team is polite but distant; I wish they more welcoming.
4
The shifts are long; if only I longer breaks.
5
Working on the old laptop is painful — I wish it during meetings!
6
And I wish my boss sending urgent tasks at midnight.
7
I also wish there someone I could have lunch with here.
8
If only I more money before moving—this city is pricey.
9
I wish you closer to me.
10
If only I you every weekend.

Expressing Wishes & Regrets: “I wish / If only”

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences
1
I wish I ______ a better job. I don’t enjoy this kind of work.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
I wish you ______ so late all the time. I’m tired of waiting!
A.
B.
C.
D.
3
I wish you ______ your bedroom. It’s a mess!
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
If only I ______ enough money to travel last year.
A.
B.
C.
D.
5
If only it ______ raining now — we could go for a walk.
A.
B.
C.
D.
6
I wish my neighbours ______ their music at night.
A.
B.
C.
D.
7
If only he ______ to the instructions, he wouldn’t have broken it.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8
I wish I ______ drive, but I can’t.
A.
B.
C.
D.
9
If only we ______ the earlier bus; we wouldn’t be late now.
A.
B.
C.
D.
10
I wish it ______ so hot in the office.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Expressing Wishes & Regrets: “I wish / If only”

Fill in the gaps to complete the sentences as in the example
1
You forgot your passport and could not board the plane. ⇒ I wish I my passport.
2
You live above a noisy bar. ⇒ I wish I in such a noisy flat.
3
Your brother keeps borrowing your car. ⇒ I wish he my car all the time.
4
You were rude to your teacher yesterday. ⇒ I wish I rude to my teacher.
5
It is raining, so we cannot have a picnic. ⇒ I wish it raining.
6
You do not know how to drive. ⇒ I wish I .
7
You must work this weekend. ⇒ I wish I work this weekend.
8
Your friend rarely calls you. ⇒ If only she .
9
You told your secret to the wrong person. ⇒ I wish I my secret to the wrong person.
10
You cannot attend the meeting today. ⇒ If only I the meeting today.