'Wish' and 'If only'

We use wish and if only to talk about things that we would

like to be different in either the present or the past.

If only is usually a bit stronger than wish.

In the present
We can use wish/if only + a past form to talk about a
present situation we would like to be different.
wish + past simple
wish+I+could -> I wish I could sing.
wish+I didn't have to ->I wish I didn't have to sweep.
I wish you didn't live so far away.
If only we knew what to do.
He wishes he could afford a holiday.

In the past
We can use wish/if only + a past perfect form to talk about
something we would like to change about the past.

They wish they hadn't eaten so much chocolate.

They're feeling very sick now.
If only I'd studied harder when I was at school.

Expressing annoyance infinitive

We can use wish + would(n't) to show that we are annoyed
with what someone or something does or doesn't do. We often
feel that they are unlikely or unwilling to change.

I wish you wouldn't borrow my clothes without asking.

I wish it would rain. The garden really needs some water.
She wishes he'd work less. They never spend any time
together.
Exercise
I wish I _____ go to work tomorrow.
wouldn't have to
didn't have to
hadn't had to
If only I _____ that to her. She's not speaking to me now.
wouldn't say
hadn't said
didn't say
He wishes _____ the kitchen in such a mess. He always has
to clean before he cooks.
they wouldn't leave
they had left
they would leave
She wishes they _____ ten years ago!
would have met
met
had met
If only he _____ here now. He'd know what to do.
would be
wasn't
were
It looks like rain. I wish I ____ my umbrella.
would have broughth
had brought
brought
I'm starving. If only there _____ a restaurant open now.
would be
starve- estar muriendo de hambre
had been
was
I wish people _____ loud music on the train. What's wrong
with using headphones?!
wouldn't play
would play
wouldn't have played
Exercise
If only they _____ you for advice before they started the
project. You're the expert!
would ask
had asked
asked
He wishes he ____ back in time and visit Ancient Rome.
would travel
could travel
could have travelled
I wish she _____ her shoes there. I'm always falling over
them.
wouldn't leave
left
wouldn't have left
The traffic on the roads was terrible. I wish we _____ the
train instead!
would catch
caught
had caught
I'm not saying it again. I wish _____ when I'm talking.
you listen
you'll listen
you'd listen
If only I _____ the time off work, I'd come and visit you.
could take
would take
took
I'm so tired. I wish I _____ home earlier last night.
had gone
went
would have gone
We're having such a lovely time in Scotland. If only it
_____ all the time, though!
hadn't rained
had rained
didn't rain