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I wish, if only

I wish, If only.

Wishes about the present

We use wish with past Tense forms (simple and continuous) to express regret about present situations:

- I wish I was taller = (I’m not very tall)

- I wish I was going with you = (but I'm not)

I wish you were more help. = (you are not) I wish I were can replace I wish I was.

To many people, I wish I were sounds more correct:

I wish I were taller.

We use wish with could to express a wish for a present situation to be different:

 I wish I could use a computer well.

X I wish I would tell her about it.

I wish I could tell her about it.

Past Simple è presentè I wish I knew the answer. (= I don’t know)

Past Simple èpresent è I wish I was /were better at sports. (= I'm not)

Past Continuousè present è I wish I was /were going with you. (= I'm not)     

Could è present è I wish I could give you an answer. (= I can't)

Would è future è I wish you would be quiet. (= Your talking irritates me.)

Past Perfect è past è I wish I had known you then. (= but I didn't)

Could have è pastè I wish I could have explained. (= I wasn't able to)

Wishes about the future

We use wish with would to say how we would like somebody to behave in the future:

X I wish you to stop talking.

/I wish you would stop talking.

X I wish that they will stop arguing.

/I wish they would stop arguing.

• We can also use this pattern in situations that do not involve people:

I wish this car would go faster.

Wishes about the past

We use wish with the Past Perfect when we have

Regrets about the past:

I wish I hadn't taken your advice. (= but I did)

I wish she could have come. (= but she didn't)

If only

If only can be more emphatic than I wish. The verb forms after if only are the same as the patterns with wish:

If only I had more money! (= but I haven't)

If only I was going on holiday with you!

If only you were here. (= but you re not)

If only the sun would come out!

If only you could be here! (= but you're not)

If only I'd listened to you! (=but I didn't )

If only he could have explained! (=but he wasn't able to)