HOW TO USE THEM

Basically you use I wish and if only to express a wish or a regret, to say that something is not as we would like it to be. (A tip for Spanish-speaking students: these expressions are similar to "Ojalá").

Let us see these three categories:

1

Expressing a wish about the present.

PATTERN   I wish / If only  +  past simple

I wish there were more people like me in my class.
If only it didn't rain so much in Buenos Aires.

2

Expressing a wish about the past.

PATTERN   I wish / If only  +  past perfect

I wish I had had a brother to help me with that.
If only I had remembered Susan's telephone number.

3

Expressing a complaint.

PATTERN   I wish / If only  +  somebody/something
+  would  +  infinitive

I wish my wife would think before she acts.
If only someone would answer that telephone. It has been
ringing for about ten minutes!!

And now some extra tips to remember:

A

As with hypothetical conditional sentences, you may use either was or were with I, he, she or it.

I wish it wasn't / weren't raining, but it rains a lot.
If only she was / were taller!!

B

You cannot say I wish I would... It must be I wish you / he / she / it / they / John would...

The music next door is very loud. I wish they would turn it down.
I wish you wouldn't drive so fast!!

C

When you express a wish about the future you usually have to use hope instead of 'wish'.

I hope you will all pass the exam.
I hope the weather is fine tomorrow.

On the next page you can practise this grammar.