Wish and if only

Wish and if only + past tense

We can use wish and if only with past tense to express regret about the present.

e.g. I wish I had a car.(I don't have a car)

If only I could play the guitar.( I cannot play the guitar)

Note: If only is more emphatic than wish



We often use were instead of was after wish and if only, especially in more formal style.

e.g. If only I were beautiful. ( I am not beautiful)



2. Wish and if only + would

We use would after wish and if only when we want something to stop happening, or we want something different to happen.

e.g. I wish you would stop making the noise.

I wish you wouldn't make my room messy.

If only you would stop complaining.



3. Wish and if only + past perfect

To express regret that happened or did not happen in the past, we use wish and if only with past perfect ( had+ V3)

e.g. If ony you had explained the situation to me.(You didn't explained the situation to me)

I am very tired. I wish I had gone to bed early last night.( I didn't go to bed early last night)


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