WISH and IF ONLY

GRAMMAR EXPLANATION:

¬WISHES about present events: WISH + past simple

I am not very tall . I wish I were taller

My father only speaks Spanish. He wishes he spoke English or French

¬WISHES about past events: WISH + past perfect

We couldn't attend the meeting. We wish we had attended the meeting.

I rained so hard that the party was cancelled. I wish it hadn't rained

¬WISHES about future events or annoying habits: WISH + would/could

He leaves his clothes on the floor and his room is a mess. I wish he wouldn't do that.

Mr. Urban wants to have an interview with you. He wishes you would meet him next week. 

¬IF ONLY is used to make emphatic wishes:

I can't restart the computer. If only I knew how to fix it! (for present events)

We are completely lost. If only you had brought your GPS! (for past events)

REMEMBER: You can also use the negative forms didn't, hadn't, wouldn't, and couldn't.

Now practice with these exercises:

 

For more details, please check my IG post:

And now, let's practice with the following exercises: