wish / if only

Rules

• Rule 1: About now: wish + past simple

  To wish for something that isn't true now, use wish + past simple. The verb looks past, but the meaning is present. With be, use were for every subject (*I wish I was* is heard in speech, but were is preferred in writing).

  Pattern: subject + wish + subject + past simple / were

  Example: I wish I lived by the sea.

  Example: Mert wishes his best friend were in his class.

• Rule 2: About ability: wish + could

  To wish you could do something, use wish + could + verb. For something you couldn't do in the past, use could have + V3.

  Pattern: subject + wish + subject + could + verb

  Example: I wish I could play the drums.

  Example: We wish we could stay at the campsite for another week.

• Rule 3: Past regrets: wish + had + V3

  For regrets about something that did or didn't happen in the past, use wish + had + V3.

  Pattern: subject + wish + subject + had / hadn't + V3

  Example: I wish I had brought my camera to the zoo.

  Example: She wishes she hadn't left her umbrella on the bus.

• Rule 4: Someone else's behavior: wish + would

  To complain about someone else's behavior (or to want the weather or a situation to change), use wish + would + verb. Never say I wish I would about yourself!

  Pattern: subject + wish + other subject + would / wouldn't + verb

  Example: I wish my brother would knock before he comes in!

  Example: I wish the wind would stop blowing.

Common mistakes

• I wish I have a bigger room. → I wish I had a bigger room.

  A present wish moves one step back: had.

• I wish I would be older. → I wish I were older.

  Don't use would about yourself; use were / past simple.

• I wish I didn't eat so much yesterday. → I wish I hadn't eaten so much yesterday.

  A past regret → had + V3 (the past simple is heard in speech, but this is the standard form).