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Joy English

B2 Grammar

B2Wishes and regrets15 min

Wishes and regrets: wish and if only

Talk about things you would like to be different now, regrets about the past, and habits that annoy you.

We use wish and if only to talk about situations that are not real or that we cannot change. As with conditionals, we move the verb one step back in time to show distance from reality. If only is stronger and more emotional than I wish.

Wish aboutStructureExampleMeaning
the presentwish + past simple or continuousI wish I lived nearer the sea.I don't live near the sea.
the present (be)wish + were / wasMira wishes she were taller.She isn't tall.
abilitywish + couldI wish I could play the violin.I can't play it.
the pastwish + past perfectHe wishes he had studied harder.He didn't study hard. It's a regret.
other people's habitswish + wouldI wish my neighbours would turn their music down.They don't, and it annoys me.

Wish + would is used to complain about something we want another person to change, or to show impatience: I wish it would stop raining! We don't normally use it about ourselves. Say I wish I could or I wish I were, not I wish I would.

  • If only we had more time!
  • If only I hadn't said that. Now she's upset.
  • Do you ever wish you had chosen a different career?
  • I wish you wouldn't leave your shoes in the hall.

Hope or wish?

Use hope for things that are possible and may happen: I hope you pass the exam. Use wish for things that are unreal. For good wishes, wish is followed by a person and a noun: We wish you a happy birthday.

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the correct form

Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence.

  1. I wish I _____ a bigger flat. This one is too small.

  2. Kenji wishes he _____ to the party last night. Everyone says it was great.

  3. I wish my brother _____ borrowing my clothes without asking!

  4. If only I _____ speak Korean! Then I could talk to my cousins.

  5. I _____ you have a lovely holiday.

  6. She wishes she _____ so rude to her friend yesterday.

  7. If only it _____ so cold today! I want to go to the beach.

  8. I wish I _____ that email. My manager was really upset.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Write the verb

Type the correct form of the verb in brackets.

  1. I wish I (know) the answer, but I have no idea.

  2. If only we (not / miss) the last bus. Now we have to walk home.

  3. I wish you (not / interrupt) me all the time. It's really annoying.

  4. Sara wishes she (be) better at maths.

  5. I wish I (take) more photos on our trip last year.

  6. My grandmother wishes she (can) see her grandchildren more often.

  7. I wish I (not / have to) work this weekend.

  8. If only I (listen) to your advice before I bought that old car!

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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