I WISH VS.

IF ONLY
GRAMMAR WORKSHOP
INTERMEDIATE, WEEK 01 1
 My teacher gives me too much homework. =

If only/I wish my teacher wouldn't give me so much

homework.

It takes me so long to get to work every day. =

I wish/If only it didn't take me so long to get to work every

day.

I didn't steal the sausage from the table yesterday. =

If only/I wish I had stolen the sausage from the table

yesterday.

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 WISH/IF ONLY + WOULD +
My teacher gives me too much homework. =
VERB
If only/I wish my teacher wouldn't give me so much
when we are irritated by a situation
homework.
or someone's behaviour & we'd like
to change it

It takes me so long to get to work every day. =

WISH/IF ONLY + PAST
I wish/If only it didn't take me so long to get to work every SIMPLE
day.
when you'd like change
something for the present
I didn't steal the sausage from the table yesterday. = moment

If only/I wish I had stolen the sausage from the table

yesterday. WISH/IF ONLY + PAST
PERFECT SIMPLE

to express regret that something

happened or didn't happen in the
past
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0. I wish he __was/were__ more careful.
1. I miss you. I wish you ___________ (be) here now.
2. She's so busy that she's up to her eyes with her work. If
only she ___________ (have) more time.
3. I'd like to speak fluent Spanish. I wish I ___________
(can) do it! COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
4. Our footballers can't play at all! If only they EXPRESSING REGRETS
___________ (play) better! ABOUT THE PRESENT.
Use NOT where necessary
5. We'd like to keep in touch with you but we don't have
your e-mail. I wish we ___________ (know) it.
6. He'd really love to go out with us but he has an exam
tomorrow. If only he ___________ (have to) study!
7. My parents work too much. I wish they ___________
(work) less.
8. It’s 7 in the morning and I must get up. I wish
___________ (have to) get up. 4
0. I bought this jacket and it’s too small. I wish I _hadn’t bought__ it.
1. I didn't know about the test. I wish somebody ___________
(tell) me about it before.
2. She was late for work again. If only she ___________ (get up)
earlier!
3. We didn't add a baking powder to the cake. I wish we
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
___________ (not forget).
EXPRESSING REGRETS
4. They didn't come to the party. They wish they ___________ ABOUT THE PAST.
(know) about it before.
5. Yesterday I saw this gorgeous bag but I didn't have money on me.
If only I ___________ (have) my wallet then!
6. My new phone often breaks. I wish I ________ (not buy) it.
7. It's a pity we didn't go to Barcelona last summer. If only we
___________ (go) there.
8. The weather was awful on my holiday. I wish ___________(go)
somewhere warmer. 5
 MATCH THE ITEMS IN
A B
COLUMN A WITH THOSE IN
COLUMN B.
1.I wish my students be more polite.

2.If only the customers turn up at work on time.

NEXT DECIDE WHO MADE

3.I wish the passengers pay more attention during classes.
THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS?
4.If only the drivers take the medicine properly.
a shop assistant
5.I wish my patients follow the safety regulations. a traffic warden
a flight attendant
6.If only my staff not sail during the storm.
a doctor
switch off all the electronic devices during
7.I wish the tourists a lifeguard
the take-off.
a manager
a teacher
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0. I don't have many friends on Facebook but I wish I __did__.
1. She can't play the piano very well but she wishes she
__________.
FILL IN THE GAPS WITH AN
2. We didn't buy that flat but we wish we __________.
APPROPRIATE AUXILIARY
3. I'm not a millionaire but I wish I __________. VERB, E.G. DID, HAD, WOULD,
4. They probably won't help me but I wish they __________. ETC.
5. My brother hasn't got any pets but he wishes he
__________.
6. They don't go out very often but they wish they
__________.
7. He won't listen to my advice but I wish he __________.

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1. You went to a very boring movie yesterday. Now you regret it.
I wish ____________________________________________
2. Your hair is straight and you would like to have it curly.
If only ___________________________________________
3. Your neighbour organises noisy parties every weekend. MAKE COMPLAINTS/REGRETS
I wish he _________________________________________ USING THE STRUCTURES
4. Your mother-in-law is inquisitive and always asks you too many I WISH AND IF ONLY.
questions.
If only she ________________________________________
5. You wanted to study law but in the end you studied economy.
I wish ____________________________________________
6. You lost your umbrella when you were out with friends last night.
If only ____________________________________________
7. You would like to get a pay rise although you know it's not possible at
the moment.
I wish ____________________________________________
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IF ONLY I COULD …

I WISH I HAD …

IF ONLY I HAD …

I WISH I COULD …

IF ONLY I KNEW …

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 I WISH I WERE …

IF ONLY I COULD LIVE IN …

I WISH I HAD GONE TO … LAST YEAR.

IF ONLY I HAD HAD … WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

I WISH I HAD LEARNT MORE … WHEN I WAS AT SCHOOL.

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