I wish / If only(past / present / future)

Bob is at his cousin’s birthday party. He’s bored.

He wishes he were somewhere else.If only he were somewhere else.

WISH / IF ONLY + PAST

We use wish / If only + past to express dissatisfaction or regret about the present or future.

For example:• Bob wishes he were somewhere

else.• If only he were somewhere else.

I wish they would stop smoking!

If only they would let me eat

peacefully!

WISH / IF ONLY + WOULD

We use wish / If only + would + infinitive to complain about or criticise a person or a situation.

For example:• I wish they would stop smoking.• If only they would let me eat

peacefully.

Make sentences about the following situations, using

wish / If only + past or

wish / If only + would + infinitive

She’s trying to sleep but her husband is snoring.

I wish... / If only...

He is in class. He’s bored.

He wishes... / If only...

They are lost.

They wish... / If only...

It’s raining and we want it to stop.

We wish... / If only...

This is John.

He went to a party yesterday and drank too much.

This is John today. He has a painful hangover...

He wishes he hadn’t drunk so many beers yesterday.

If only he hadn’t drunk so many beers yesterday.

WISH / IF ONLY + PAST PERFECT

We use wish / If only + past perfect to express regret about the past.

For example:• John wishes he hadn’t drunk so

much yesterday.• If only he hadn’t drunk so much

yesterday.

Make sentences about the following situations, using wish / If only + past perfect

He went trekking alone but didn’t

take a map. He got lost.

He wishes... / If only...

She has spent all her money on clothes and now she’s in debt!

She wishes... / If only...

I’m feeling seasick.

I wish... / If only...

I didn’t study for the test.

I wish... / If only...