Have you ever looked back on a decision and thought, “I wish I had done things differently”? Or maybe you’ve imagined a better version of your current situation and thought, “If only things were different”? If so, you’ve already touched upon the core of today’s grammar lesson: ‘wish’ and ‘if only’. These powerful little phrases allow us to express regrets, desires for change, and hypothetical situations in English. For B2 level English learners, mastering ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ is key to expressing yourself more fluently and naturally, especially when speaking.

What are ‘Wish’ and ‘If Only’?

Both ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ are used to talk about things we would like to be different in the present, past, or future. They express a sense of regret, dissatisfaction, or longing for something that is not true or possible. While they share similar meanings, there are subtle differences in their usage and emphasis. Understanding these nuances will significantly enhance your English speaking and writing.

Think of ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ as tools to express your inner thoughts and feelings about things you can’t change or haven’t changed yet. They are incredibly useful in everyday conversations when you want to talk about your feelings about the world around you.

How to Use ‘Wish’ – Grammar and Examples

Let’s start with ‘wish’. ‘Wish’ is typically followed by different verb tenses depending on whether you are expressing a regret about the present, past, or a desire for someone else to change their behavior.

Wish + Past Simple

We use ‘wish + past simple’ to express a wish about a present situation that we want to be different. It shows regret that something is not the way we want it to be now.

• Form: Subject + wish + (that) + Subject + Past Simple
• Example: I wish I had more free time. (Present reality: I don’t have much free time, and I regret it.)
• Example: She wishes she lived closer to her family. (Present reality: She lives far from her family, and she’s unhappy about it.)
• Example: They wish they knew more people in this city. (Present reality: They don’t know many people here, and they regret it.)

Notice that even though we are talking about the present, we use the past simple tense after ‘wish’. This ‘past’ tense creates a sense of unreality, highlighting that the wish is contrary to the present fact.
Important Note: When using ‘wish’ with the verb ‘be’, we often use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ for all subjects, especially in more formal English and when expressing hypothetical situations. However, ‘was’ is also commonly used in informal speech, particularly in American English.

• Example: I wish I were taller. (More formal and grammatically traditional)
• Example: I wish I was taller. (Informal and commonly used)

Wish + Past Perfect

We use ‘wish + past perfect’ to express a wish about the past. It shows regret about something that happened or didn’t happen in the past. We are imagining a different past.

• Form: Subject + wish + (that) + Subject + Past Perfect
• Example: I wish I had studied harder for that exam. (Past reality: I didn’t study hard, and I failed or didn’t do well, and I regret it now.)
• Example: He wishes he hadn’t said those words. (Past reality: He said something he regrets saying, and he wishes he could take it back.)
• Example: We wish we hadn’t gone to that restaurant last night. (Past reality: We went to the restaurant, and it was a bad experience, and we regret going.)

Here, the past perfect tense (‘had + past participle’) takes us further back in time, emphasizing that the regret is about something already completed in the past.

Wish + Would

We use ‘wish + would’ to express a wish for someone else to do something differently or to stop doing something that annoys us. It expresses a desire for a change in someone else’s behavior or in a situation controlled by someone else. We do not typically use ‘wish + would’ to talk about ourselves.

• Form: Subject + wish + (that) + Subject + Would + Base Verb
• Example: I wish you would listen to me! (Present reality: You are not listening to me, and I am annoyed by this.)
• Example: She wishes her neighbor would stop playing loud music so late at night. (Present reality: The neighbor plays loud music late at night, and it’s disturbing her.)
• Example: They wish the weather would improve. (Present reality: The weather is bad, and they want it to change, though they can’t control it.)

Using ‘would’ after ‘wish’ implies a desire for change that is dependent on someone or something else. It often carries a tone of impatience or annoyance, especially when wishing for someone’s behavior to change.

How to Use ‘If Only’ – Grammar and Examples

‘If only’ is very similar to ‘wish’ in meaning and usage. In fact, in many situations, you can use ‘if only’ and ‘wish’ interchangeably. However, ‘if only’ often carries a slightly stronger sense of regret or longing, making it a bit more emphatic than ‘wish’.

If Only + Past Simple

Just like ‘wish + past simple’, ‘if only + past simple’ expresses regret about a present situation.

• Form: If only + Subject + Past Simple
• Example: If only I had more money. (Same meaning as: I wish I had more money.)
• Example: If only she knew the answer. (Same meaning as: She wishes she knew the answer.)
• Example: If only it wasn’t raining. (Same meaning as: I wish it wasn’t raining.)

If Only + Past Perfect

Similar to ‘wish + past perfect’, ‘if only + past perfect’ expresses regret about the past.

• Form: If only + Subject + Past Perfect
• Example: If only I had listened to your advice! (Same meaning as: I wish I had listened to your advice.)
• Example: If only they had arrived earlier. (Same meaning as: They wish they had arrived earlier.)
• Example: If only we had booked a better hotel. (Same meaning as: We wish we had booked a better hotel.)

If Only + Would

And like ‘wish + would’, ‘if only + would’ expresses a desire for someone else to change their behavior or for a situation beyond your control to change.

• Form: If only + Subject + Would + Base Verb
• Example: If only he would be on time for once! (Same meaning as: I wish he would be on time for once.)
• Example: If only the bus would come soon. (Same meaning as: I wish the bus would come soon.)
• Example: If only it would stop snowing. (Same meaning as: I wish it would stop snowing.)

Wish vs. If Only – Are They Different?

As you can see, ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ are largely interchangeable. The grammatical structures are identical, and the core meaning of expressing regret or desire for change is the same. However, ‘if only’ is often perceived as being slightly more informal and emotionally charged, carrying a stronger sense of longing or disappointment. In most everyday situations, you can use either ‘wish’ or ‘if only’ without significantly altering the meaning. Choosing between them often comes down to personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learners sometimes make these common mistakes with ‘wish’ and ‘if only’:

• Using the present simple after ‘wish’ or ‘if only’ for present regrets.
  • Incorrect: I wish I have more time.
  • Correct: I wish I had more time.
• Using ‘wish + would’ to talk about your own desires.
  • Incorrect: I wish I would travel to Japan next year.
  • Correct: I wish I could travel to Japan next year. (Use ‘could’ for your own abilities/possibilities) or I hope to travel to Japan next year. (For future plans/intentions).
• Forgetting to use ‘were’ (or ‘was’) with ‘be’ after ‘wish’ for hypothetical situations.
  • Incorrect: I wish I am rich.
  • Correct: I wish I were rich. or I wish I was rich.

Let’s Practice! – Wish and If Only Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using ‘wish’ or ‘if only’ and the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. I _______ (speak) French. It would be so useful!
2. _______ I _______ (not eat) so much cake yesterday! I feel terrible now.
3. She _______ her husband _______ (help) more around the house.
4. _______ we _______ (go) to the beach instead of the mountains last summer?
5. They _______ they _______ (have) a bigger garden.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite these sentences using ‘wish’ or ‘if only’ to express regret or a desire for change.

1. I regret not studying medicine.
2. This city is too noisy. I don’t like it.
3. My brother never calls me. It’s annoying.
4. I can’t go on holiday this year because I don’t have enough money.
5. It rained all weekend, and we couldn’t go hiking.

Answers

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. wish I could speak (or wish I spoke)
2. If only I hadn’t eaten
3. wishes her husband would help
4. If only we had gone
5. wish they had

Exercise 2 Answers:

1. I wish I had studied medicine. / If only I had studied medicine.
2. I wish this city wasn’t so noisy. / If only this city wasn’t so noisy.
3. I wish my brother would call me more often. / If only my brother would call me more often.
4. I wish I had enough money to go on holiday this year. / If only I had enough money to go on holiday this year.
5. If only it hadn’t rained all weekend so we could have gone hiking. / I wish it hadn’t rained all weekend so we could have gone hiking.

Speak Fluently with ‘Wish’ and ‘If Only’

Now you understand how to use ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ to express regrets and hypothetical situations. The best way to truly master these grammar points is to practice speaking! Try using ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ in your daily conversations. Think about things you regret or things you wish were different and express them in English. This will help you internalize the grammar and make your spoken English sound more natural and expressive.

For more practice and to improve your spoken English fluency, check out Lingofrnd.com, your AI spoken English teacher. Lingofrnd can help you practice using ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ in realistic conversations and build your confidence in speaking English. Download App now and start practicing!

Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be using ‘wish’ and ‘if only’ like a native English speaker! Good luck!