English grammar › C1
wish and if only
Level C1 · regrets and wishes
How do you express wishes and regrets?
After wish and if only, English moves the verb one step back to show that the situation is not real.
Three uses
- Present: I wish I had a car.
- Past: I wish I had studied.
- Annoyance: I wish you would stop.
Pattern
wish + past (now) · wish + had done (past)
Examples
- **If only** I **knew** the answer! — I don’t know it now
Same tense shift as the second and third conditionals.
The rule
wish + past simple for the present, wish + had done for the past, wish + would for annoying habits of others.
Present → past: I wish I had more time. → I wish I had left earlier.
Common mistakes
- Not:
I wish I have a car.— But: I wish I had a car. - Not:
I wish I would be taller.— But: I wish I were taller.
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