Expressing a wish or a regret
Use of I wish / if only:
There are three distinct types of I wish / if only sentences:
1. Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.
2. Regret with the past perfect.
3. Complaints with would + verb.
The expressions 'I wish' and 'If only' are used in English to express wishes and regrets about things that may happen in the future or may have happened in the past simple and past perfect.
| Expressing a wish | Expressing regret | Complaining |
| Form: If only/I wish +simple past | Form: If only/I wish +past perfect | Form: I wish/If only +would+verb |
| Example: If only I knew how to use a computer. (I don’t know how to use a computer and I would like to learn how to use it. | Example:If only I had woken up early. (I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.) | Example: I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late and I want you to arrive on time |
| Use:To express a wish in the present or in the future. The simple past here is an unreal past. When you use the verb to be the form is“were”. Example: I wish I were a millionaire! | Use: To express a regret. The action is past. | Use: To complain about a behavior that you disapprove. Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action. |
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