1. Wish and if only + past tense
We can use wish and if only with past tense to express regret about the present.
e.g. I wish I had a car.(I don't have a car)
If only I could play the guitar.( I cannot play the guitar)
Note: If only is more emphatic than wish
We often use were instead of was after wish and if only, especially in more formal style.
e.g. If only I were beautiful. ( I am not beautiful)
2. Wish and if only + would
We use would after wish and if only when we want something to stop happening, or we want something different to happen.
e.g. I wish you would stop making the noise.
I wish you wouldn't make my room messy.
If only you would stop complaining.
3. Wish and if only + past perfect
To express regret that happened or did not happen in the past, we use wish and if only with past perfect ( had+ V3)
e.g. If ony you had explained the situation to me.(You didn't explained the situation to me)
I am very tired. I wish I had gone to bed early last night.( I didn't go to bed early last night)
We can use wish and if only with past tense to express regret about the present.
e.g. I wish I had a car.(I don't have a car)
If only I could play the guitar.( I cannot play the guitar)
Note: If only is more emphatic than wish
We often use were instead of was after wish and if only, especially in more formal style.
e.g. If only I were beautiful. ( I am not beautiful)
2. Wish and if only + would
We use would after wish and if only when we want something to stop happening, or we want something different to happen.
e.g. I wish you would stop making the noise.
I wish you wouldn't make my room messy.
If only you would stop complaining.
3. Wish and if only + past perfect
To express regret that happened or did not happen in the past, we use wish and if only with past perfect ( had+ V3)
e.g. If ony you had explained the situation to me.(You didn't explained the situation to me)
I am very tired. I wish I had gone to bed early last night.( I didn't go to bed early last night)
