Wish and if only

Wish/if only + past simple and past perfect for present and past regrets, and wish + would for complaints

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1. 1
   Multiple choice

   I wish I how to drive.

   knewknowhad knownwill knowWish + past simple expresses a present wish about something that isn't true.
2. 2
   Multiple choice

   If only it raining — I want to go for a walk.

   would stopstopsstoppedwill stopWish/if only + would is used to complain about a situation we want to change.
3. 3
   Multiple choice

   She wishes she harder for the exam last month.

   had studiedstudiedwould studystudiesWish + past perfect expresses regret about the past.
4. 4
   Multiple choice

   Which sentence is correct?

   I wish I was taller.I wish I am taller.I wish I will be taller.I wish I am being taller.Wish + past simple (was/were) is used for a present wish about a state.
5. 5
   Fill the gap

   I wish you (stop) interrupting me all the time.

   Answer: would stopWish + would expresses annoyance about someone else's behaviour.
6. 6
   Fill the gap

   If only I (not say) that to her — she's still upset.

   Answer: hadn't saidIf only + past perfect expresses regret about something in the past.
7. 7
   Fill the gap

   He wishes he (live) closer to his family.

   Answer: livedWish + past simple expresses a present wish about a situation.
8. 8
   Fill the gap

   I wish I (be) on holiday right now instead of at work.

   Answer: wereAlso accepted: wasAfter 'wish', both 'were' and 'was' are possible with I/he/she/it in informal English.
9. 9
   Fill the gap

   If only we (book) our tickets earlier — now they're much more expensive.

   Answer: had bookedIf only + past perfect is used for a past regret.
10. 10
    True / false

    This sentence is correct: 'I wish I would be taller.'

    Answer: FalseWe don't use 'wish + would' about ourselves for a state; it should be 'I wish I were taller.'
11. 11
    True / false

    This sentence is correct: 'I wish I had brought an umbrella this morning.'

    Answer: TrueWish + past perfect correctly expresses a regret about the past.
12. 12
    Discussion question

    Is there anything about your past you wish had been different? What do you wish you'd done differently?

    Sample answer: I wish I had started learning English earlier. If only I'd practised speaking more as a teenager, I'd feel more confident now.