Wish and if only
wish + past for unreal present situations; wish + past perfect for past regrets; wish + person or thing + would for desired change; if only as a more emphatic alternative; second clauses after if only.
1. I cannot afford a larger flat. I wish I _____ more money.
Multiple Choice20sAhad✓Bwould haveChad hadDwill have💡 Wish + past tense expresses a present situation the speaker wants to be different.
2. If only can express the same kinds of wishes as wish, but it is generally more emphatic.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 If only is available for present wishes, past regrets and desired changes.
3. Use ignore in the negative past perfect: I wish I _____ the warning; the equipment is damaged now.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedhadn't ignored · had not ignored💡 Wish + past perfect expresses regret about a past action.
4. The tap has been dripping all night. Which sentence expresses annoyance and a desired change?
Multiple Choice20sAI wish it would stop dripping.✓BI wish it stopped dripping yesterday.CI wish I had stopped dripping.DI wish it will stop dripping.💡 Wish + thing + would expresses dissatisfaction and a wanted future change.
5. Match each wish form to its meaning.
Matching30swish + past simple→present reality wanted to be differentwish + could→present ability wantedwish + past perfect→regret about the pastwish + different subject + would→wanted future change or complaintif only→a more emphatic wish💡 The verb after wish or if only indicates the time and kind of unreality.
6. I wish I _____ play the piano well enough to join the band.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedcould💡 Could in a present wish expresses an unreal or missing ability.
7. Put the chunks in order to express annoyance about noise.
Put in Order30s- 1.I wish
- 2.our neighbours
- 3.would turn
- 4.the music down
- 5.at night.
💡 Wish + a different subject + would expresses a desired change in someone else's behaviour.
8. Which sentence is grammatically appropriate?
Multiple Choice20sAI wish I were more patient.✓BI wish I would be more patient.CI wish I had be more patient.DI wish I will be more patient.💡 A present wish about the speaker's own state uses a past form, not would.
9. To express regret about a past event, wish is followed by past simple.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Past simple after wish concerns the present, while past perfect concerns the past.
10. Use take in the past perfect: If only we _____ a taxi, we would not have got soaked.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedhad taken · 'd taken💡 Past perfect after if only expresses regret about the transport choice.
11. Which sentence combines an emphatic present wish with an imagined result?
Multiple Choice20sAIf only the office were closer, I could walk to work.✓BIf only the office will be closer, I could walk to work.CIf only the office had been closer, I can walk to work now.DIf only the office would be closer to itself, I walked.💡 If only + past describes the unreal present, and the second clause gives its imagined result.
12. Match each sentence to its time reference.
Matching30sI wish I knew the answer.→unreal presentI wish I could stay longer.→missing present abilityI wish I hadn't sent the email.→past regretI wish the bus would arrive.→wanted future changeIf only they had listened!→emphatic past regret💡 The tense or modal after wish/if only identifies the time and meaning.
13. I wish the journey _____ so long; commuting is exhausting.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedweren't · were not · wasn't · was not💡 A past form after wish describes an unreal present situation.
14. If only can be followed by a second clause describing what would be possible in the imagined situation.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 For example, If only it were warmer, we could eat outside.
15. Which sentence correctly uses wish ... would with a different subject?
Multiple Choice20sAI wish my colleague would answer urgent messages sooner.✓BI wish I would answer urgent messages sooner.CI wish my colleague answered yesterday would.DI wish would my colleague answer urgent messages.💡 The wanted change concerns another person's future behaviour.
16. Reorder the chunks to express a past regret and its imagined result.
Put in Order30s- 1.If only
- 2.we had checked
- 3.the timetable,
- 4.we wouldn't have missed
- 5.the last train.
💡 If only + past perfect expresses the regret, and the second clause gives the unreal past result.
17. Use would and interrupt in the negative: I wish Dan _____ me during presentations; it is extremely distracting.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwouldn't interrupt · would not interrupt💡 Wish + another person + would not expresses annoyance about repeated behaviour and a desired change.
18. Which sentence correctly expresses regret about refusing an offer?
Multiple Choice20sAI wish I hadn't refused the offer.✓BI wish I wouldn't have refused the offer.CI wish I didn't refuse the offer last week.DI wish I haven't refused the offer.💡 Past regret uses wish + past perfect, not would have.
19. The subjects can be the same in the pattern 'I wish I would be richer'.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Would is not used when the subject wishes for a change in their own state.
20. Use study in the past perfect: Mina failed the exam and now wishes she _____ more carefully.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedhad studied · 'd studied💡 Past perfect after wishes expresses regret about earlier preparation.