> Other English exercises on the same topic: Conditional and hypothesis [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Conditional - Conditional clauses - Hypothetical sentences: tenses - Third conditional - Conditional Sentences - If or whether - If clauses: step 2 - If clauses-Beginners
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

I wish, if only - English lesson

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 > present>I wish I knew the answer. (= I don’t know)

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

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

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

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

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

Could have > past> 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)

Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Some sentences require a negation and use the contractions in the negative form.

Twitter Share
English exercise "I wish, if only" created by felin with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from felin]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. Bruce wishes he (have) more money so he could buy a new sweater.

2. I wish I (be) taller so that I could be in the basketball team.

3. I wish you (stop) watching television while I am talking to you.

4. I wish you (do) that. It annoys me.

5. I wish the holidays (come) so we could go off to the seaside.

6. Of course Tom wishes he (come) with us to Paris, but he has to stay here.

7. I wish we (go) to the match on Saturday but we're visiting my uncle.

8. I wish you (keep) your mouth shut yesterday. Now Mary knows.

9. If only I (lose) all my money. Now I'm broke.

10. Peter is always late. If only he (turn up) on time for a change!