wish / if only
We use "wish" and "if only" to talk about things we want to be different — regrets about the past, dissatisfaction with the present, and frustration with annoying situations.
Wishes about the present (wish / if only + past simple)
To express that you want a present situation to be different, use "wish" or "if only" followed by the past simple. The past tense here does not refer to past time; it signals that the situation is unreal or imagined. With the verb "be", "were" is often used for all subjects in formal English, although "was" is common in speech.
- •I wish I had more free time during the week.
- •If only she lived closer to us.
- •I wish I were taller.
- •He wishes he didn't have to work weekends.
Wishes about the past (wish / if only + past perfect)
To express a regret about something that already happened (or didn't happen), use "wish" or "if only" followed by the past perfect. This shows you are imagining a different past. "If only" tends to sound more emphatic and emotional than "wish".
- •I wish I had studied harder for the exam.
- •If only we had booked the tickets earlier.
- •She wishes she hadn't said those words.
- •If only I had listened to your advice.
Wishes about future behaviour and annoyances (wish + would)
Use "wish" or "if only" + "would" to complain about an annoying habit or to express that you want someone (or something) to change their behaviour. The subject of "wish" and the subject of "would" must usually be different people. We do not normally use "would" for situations we cannot influence, such as our own feelings.
- •I wish you would stop interrupting me.
- •If only it would stop raining.
- •I wish my neighbours wouldn't play music so late.
- •She wishes her son would call more often.