Wish and If Only in English: Expressing Regrets, Desires and Unreal Situations — 3rd Year Secondary (Bac)

Learning Objectives

• Understand “wish” and “if only” for regrets and desires.
• Distinguish present, past and future wishes.
• Apply correct verb forms.
• Practice with Bac exercises.

I. Introduction

“Wish” and “If only” express regret about a situation we want different. “If only” is stronger and more emphatic.

II. Structures by Time

1. Wish + Past Simple — Present

• I wish I had more free time. (I don’t have it now)
• I wish I were taller. (I am not tall)

2. Wish + Past Perfect — Past Regrets

• I wish I had studied harder. (I didn’t study)
• If only I had listened to them. (I didn’t listen)

3. Wish + Would — Future / Annoyance

• I wish you would stop smoking.
• If only it would stop raining.

Cannot use “would” for same subject: ✗ I wish I would be taller → ✓ I wish I were taller.

III. Summary

Structure	Meaning	Example
Wish + Past Simple	Present unreal	I wish I were rich.
Wish + Past Perfect	Past regret	If only I had known.
Wish + Would	Future/Annoyance	I wish you would help.

IV. Bac Exercises

Exercise 1: Complete:

1. I’m tired. I wish I _____ (go) to bed earlier last night.
2. She can’t afford a car. She wishes she _____ (have) more money.
3. If only you _____ (stop) making noise!
4. He wishes he _____ (be) taller.

Answers: 1. had gone 2. had 3. would stop 4. were

Exercise 2 (Bac): Rewrite using “wish”:

1. I don’t speak English fluently. → I wish _____
2. She didn’t accept the job. → If only _____

Answers: 1. I wish I spoke English fluently. 2. If only she had accepted the job.

Conclusion

Key: Past Simple for present wishes, Past Perfect for past regrets, Would for desires about others.

📍 Similar Lessons

• Reported Speech — 3rd Year Secondary English
• Used To, Be Used To, Get Used To — 3rd Year English