Uses of wish

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 Wish + past perfect

• Used to refer to things we are sorry about in the past or express

regret.

E.g.:

I wish I had started learning Spanish when I was younger.

(I didn’t learn Spanish when I was younger, and it is not good for me now.)

She wishes she hadn’t lost her temper.

(She lost her temper, and now she feels sorry about that) >>>
 If only + past perfect

• Used to express regrets from the past, but with a stronger feeling.
Compare both examples:

E.g.:

I wish I had never left my home town.

(I left my home town and I don’t like the situation)

If only I had never left my home town!

(I left my home town, and I am deeply regreted for this) >>>
 Wish + would

• Used to talk about people’s irritating habits or situations we

cannot interfere.

E.g.:

I wish he wouldn’t complain about the weather all the time.

I wish my brother-in-law would seel that old car.

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 Now, it’s up to you. Complete the sentences with the correct form of
the verb in brackets.

a) I wish you _______ (stop) drumming your fingers on the table like that.
It’s driving me crazy.
b) If only I _______ (help) my friends when they needed. I am sad because
they don’t talk to me anymore because of this.
c) I bet they wish they ________ (spend) all that money on the renovations.

Answers on the next page:

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 Answers

a) would stop
b) had helped
c) hadn’t spent