🔼WISH AND IF ONLY FOR REGRETS🔽

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➔ Function: 

The expressions 'I wish' and 'If only' are used in English to express wishes and regrets about things that may happen in the future or may have happened in the past.

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➔ Grammar:

Wish and ‘If only’ are both used to talk about regrets – things that we would like to change either about the past or the present.

Use of I wish / if only:

There are three distinct types of  I wish / if only  sentences:

1. Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.
2. Regret with the past perfect.
3. Complaints with would + verb.

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➔ Structure and Examples:

Expressing a wish:

Form:

If only / I wish + simple past

Example:

If only I knew how to use a computer. 

(I don’t know how to use a computer and I would like to learn how to use it)

Use:

• To express a wish in the present or in the future.

• The simple past here is an unreal past.

• When you use the verb to be the form is “were”. 

Example:

I wish I were a millionaire!

Expressing regret:

Form:

If only / I wish + past perfect

Example:

If only I had woken up early. 

(I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.)

Use:

• To express a regret.

Complaining:

Form:

I wish / if only + would + verb

Example:

I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late and I want you to arrive on time)

Use:

• To complain about a behavior that you disapprove.

• Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

• The action is past.

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➔Exercices:

1. If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. I wish I  (study) harder.

2. My friends invited me to a party, but I didn't go. I wish I  (go) to the party with them.

3. My car is old but I can't afford a new one. If only I  (can) afford a new car.

4. My sister phoned me but I wasn't at home. I wish I  (be) in.

5. My dog needs to go for a walk, but I haven't got time right now. If only I  (have) more free time.
6. If I want to be promoted, I need to speak a foreign language. I wish I  (can) speak French.

7. If I were younger, I would be able to play tennis. If only I  (be) younger.

8. If I had more children, I wouldn't be so lonely. If only I  (have) more children.

9. If I wanted to go to the cinema, I would need some money. If only I  (have) some money.

10. If he had gone out earlier, he wouldn't have missed the flight. He wishes he  (go) out earlier. 

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