Wish and If Only
1. EXPRESSING WISHES (deseo)
We can use “wish” and “If only” + past tense to express wishes about the present . (= To say that we would like to change something)
“I wish I had a car” (= I do not have a car)
“If only she could play the guitar” (She cannot do it) We use “WERE” instead of “WAS” after wish and if only.
2. EXPRESSING REGRETS (pesar) To express regret that something happened or didn’t happen in the past, we use “wish” or “If
only” +past perfect.
“I’m tired, I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night” (=I didn’t go to bed very early)
3. EXPRESSING COMPLAINTS (quejas)
We use “wish” or “if only” + would + infinitive when we want something to stop happening, or we
want something different to happen.
“I wish you would be quiet, I’m trying to do my work”!
EXERCISE: WRITE SENTENCES USING WISH OR IF ONLY FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:
1. EXPRESSING WISHES (deseo)
We can use “wish” and “If only” + past tense to express wishes about the present . (= To say that we would like to change something)
“I wish I had a car” (= I do not have a car)
“If only she could play the guitar” (She cannot do it) We use “WERE” instead of “WAS” after wish and if only.
2. EXPRESSING REGRETS (pesar) To express regret that something happened or didn’t happen in the past, we use “wish” or “If
only” +past perfect.
“I’m tired, I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night” (=I didn’t go to bed very early)
3. EXPRESSING COMPLAINTS (quejas)
We use “wish” or “if only” + would + infinitive when we want something to stop happening, or we
want something different to happen.
“I wish you would be quiet, I’m trying to do my work”!
EXERCISE: WRITE SENTENCES USING WISH OR IF ONLY FOR THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:
- I can’t give up smoking.
- I haven’t got any cigarettes.
- George isn’t here.
- It’s cold. (And I hate cold weather)
- I live in London. (And I hate London)
- I have to work tomorrow, but I would like to stay in bed.
- I don’t know anything about cars, and my car has just broken down.
- It’s a pity that I’m not lying on a beautiful sunny beach.
- You’ve eaten too much and now you feel sick.
- Tina can’t come to the party and she ‘s your best friend.
