Grammar › Conditionals › Wishes: I wish / if only
Wishes: I wish / if only
'I wish' and 'if only' express regrets and things you'd change. Choose the verb by the time:
- Present regret — I wish I had more time (I wish + past simple).
- Past regret — I wish I had studied (I wish + past perfect).
- Annoying habit / want to change — I wish it would stop raining (I wish + would).
'If only' works the same way as 'I wish' but is stronger. Use 'were' for all subjects: I wish I were taller.
How to use ‘I wish’ and ‘if only’
| You mean… | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A present situation you’d change | I wish + past simple | I wish I had more time. |
| A past regret | I wish + past perfect | I wish I had studied harder. |
| An annoying habit / want change | I wish + would | I wish it would stop raining. |
If only works exactly the same way, but is stronger: If only I had listened!
When to use each
1. Present situation (past simple)
- I wish I lived by the sea. (I don’t)
- I wish I were taller. (use were for all subjects)
2. Past regret (past perfect)
- I wish I had saved more money. (I didn’t)
- If only she had told me! (she didn’t)
3. Annoying habit or change (would)
- I wish you would stop interrupting. (please change)
- I wish it would snow. (I want it to happen)
⚠️ Typical error:
I wish I would have more time.→ For a present wish about yourself, use the past simple: I wish I had more time.
Common mistakes
1. Using ‘would’ for your own state. I wish I would be rich → I wish I were rich.
2. Present tense after ‘I wish’. I wish I have a car → I wish I had a car.
3. Wrong tense for a past regret. I wish I studied harder at school (for a past regret) → I wish I had studied harder at school. Pro tip: ‘I wish’ + past = now; ‘I wish’ + past perfect = the past; ‘I wish’ + would = please change.
✏️ Practice: Wishes: I wish / if only
1. I wish I ___ more free time (but I don't).
2. I wish I ___ harder for the exam last month.
3. I wish it ___ raining — I want to go out!
4. I wish I ___ taller.
5. If only she ___ me the truth yesterday!
6. I wish you ___ interrupting me all the time.
7. Correct this: 'I wish I have a car.'
8. I wish I ___ that job when I had the chance.
9. Which one is a PAST regret?
10. Rewrite as a wish: 'I don't speak Spanish.' →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'I wish' and 'if only'?
They mean the same, but 'if only' is more emphatic: If only I had studied! The grammar after them is identical.
Why do I say 'I wish I had' for the present?
Like the second conditional, the past tense here signals that the situation is unreal now: I wish I had a car (I don't have one).
When do I use 'I wish + would'?
For an annoying habit or something you want someone (or something) to change: I wish you would listen; I wish it would stop raining. Not usually for your own actions.
Is 'I wish I was' wrong?
'Were' is preferred in careful English (I wish I were rich), but 'was' is common in speech.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Wishes: I wish / if only”:
- Can use 'I wish' / 'if only' + past simple for present regrets (CEFR B2).
- Can use 'I wish' / 'if only' + past perfect for past regrets.
- Can use 'I wish' / 'if only' + would for annoying habits and desired change.
⬇︎ Download the Lesson Pack (PDF)
Printable worksheet + answer key + one-page summary. Free to use and print in class with attribution. Join the newsletter for new packs and cheat sheets.