This structure is used to wish or to regret.

“If only” means the same as I wish but it often expresses a stronger desire.

I wish + Use Examples

Past Simple To change a present situation.
Past Perfect To wish that a past situation had
happened in a different way.
Would + bare To change a present or future
infinitive (without situation when it doesn’t depend
“to”) on you.
NOTE: It cannot be used with the
same subject: I wish I would…*
I wish I was/were less shy.
If only you were here.
I wish he had invited me out.
I wish you hadn’t been so rude.
I wish it would rain.
If only you would stop smoking.
* I wish I would be taller. 
I wish I were taller.

 MATCH THE SENTENCES IN COLUMN A TO COLUMN B.

A B
0. e. I’m exhausted. a. I wish I had studied a difference course.
1.  I’m going to London for a holiday. b. I wish we hadn’t gone on holiday.
2.  I want to go out on my bicycle. c. I wish it would stop raining.
3.  Val was my best friend at school. d. I wish I could speak English.
4.  I haven’t spoken to Belinda for ages. e. I wish I hadn’t worked all weekend.
5.  The hotel was terrible, I didn’t enjoy it. f. I wish she lived near me.
6.  The degree I did was very boring. g. I wish she would call me.

 COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERBS IN

BRACKETS.
0. I wish we ____had____ (have) more time.
1. If only Sally ___________________ (help) me more often with the housework.
2. I wish we _________________ (not have) to do this homework.
3. If only we ____________________ (speak) English better.
4. If only I ______________________ (not like) ice cream.
5. I wish you _____________________ (live) closer to my house.
 MATCH THE SENTENCES IN
COLUMN A TO COLUMN B.
A B
0. g. I’m an only child. a. We wish we had boyfriends.

1.  I didn’t get a very good mark. b. If only that dress cost less.

2.  We had an argument. c. I wish we could find the house.

3.  We want to go to the dance with someone. d. If only we had gone out this morning.

4.  I don’t have much money. e. If only Sam would speak to again.

5.  It’s raining now; we have to stay at home. f. I wish I had passed the exam.

6.  We’ve been driving around for ages. g. I wish I had a brother.

 MICK IS LOST IN THE DESERT. WRITE SENTENCES USING I WISH.

0. I haven’t got any water.  __I wish I had some water__.
1. I haven’t got any water.
I wish
2. The jeep won’t start.
I wish
3. I didn’t bring a map or compass.
I wish
4. I haven’t got a bike.
I wish
5. I did not go with a guide.
I wish

 WRITE SENTENCES FROM THE WORDS GIVEN USING I WISH OR IF ONLY.

0. I failed my maths exam again. (I / study more)  I _wish I had studied more_.
1. My cousins live in the U.S. I never see them. (I / can visit them)

2. I forgot my mum’s birthday. (I / write it down)

3. I can’t sleep at night. (it / be so hot)

4. It’s raining and I’m cold. (I / remember umbrella)

5. The bus is late again. (I / have a car)

6. I didn’t see her because I arrived too late. (I / arrive earlier)

7. It won’t stop raining and I want to go out. (it / stop raining)

8. I can’t afford that MP4 player. (I / have more money)

9. I’m absolutely exhausted today. (I / go to bed earlier)

10. My best friend is angry with me. (We / not argue)

 WRITE A SENTENCE WITH WISH FOR EACH SITUATION.

0. I never have enough time to do everything.

I __wish I had more time__.
1. I’m always afraid of things.
I wish
2. I can’t swim very well.
I wish
3. My mum can’t cook.
I wish
4. I’ve got a very old backpack.
I wish
5. We don’t have much time to get to the concert.
I wish

 EXPRESSING REGRET. MATCH A TO COLUMN B.

A B
0. f. I feel so full. a. If only I had slept last night.

1.  I’m exhausted. b. I wish I had a jumper with me.

2.  I’ve just burnt my mouth. c. I should have gone to the police.

3.  I’ve lost my wallet. d. If only I didn’t have to wash their clothes!

4.  I can’t learn English. e. I wish I had been born in London.

5.  It’s freezing. f. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much.

6.  The boys are filthy. g. If I had tested the soup I would have felt
that it was boiling.

 IMAGINE YOU ARE IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS. COMPLETE THEM.

1) You have an important exam. The bus is late.

 I wish the bus __________________________________________________

 I wish I had ____________________________________________________

 I wish _________________________________________________________

2) You’re on holiday in Scotland. It’s raining (again!).

 I wish I was ____________________________________________________
 I wish the rain __________________________________________________

 I wish _________________________________________________________