Wish / If Only : present situations

Wish / If Only: present situations

Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ past simple	If only +noun pronoun+ past simple
I wish I had more responsibility.	If only Mary could work for us.
Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ past continuous	If only +noun pronoun+ past continuous
I wish I was lying on a beach.	If only the baby was sleeping.
Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ would	If only +noun pronoun+ would
I wish the boss would listen to my proposals!	If only Jeff would consider hiring Peter.

(This means we want a situation in the present (or future) to be different. )

What do they wish?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Wish / If Only: past situations

Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ had+ past participle	If only + noun/pronoun + had+ past participle
Janet wishes she had applied for a new position. We wish you had seen the opportunity in time.	If only I had studied German at school. If only we had bought gold instead of property.

(This means we want to be able to change a situation in the past. )

What do they wish?

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.