WISHES about THE PRESENT ( IMPOSSIBLE AT

THE RULES / CHANGES

MOMENT OF SPEAKING ) :
1. I’m not a bird, but I want to be a bird now (It’s
impossible)
- I wish I was a bird now.
2. Ali and Sam aren’t here now to watch this great movie.
- I wish Ali and Sam were here now to watch this movie. Present Simple Past
3. I don’t speak all the world’s languages. (impossible now) Simple
- I wish I spoke all the world’s languages Negative Affirmative
4. I’m poor. ( I can’t buy all I want now. ) Affirmative Negative
- I wish I wasn’t poor.
5. I have family problems these days (I’m taking final
exams.)
- I wish I didn’t have family problems these days.
Present Simple Past
6. I can’t fly. (Only birds can fly because they have wings.) Simple
- I wish I could fly. Negative Affirmative
can’t could
REGRETS about THE PAST ( IMPOSSIBLE /
DIDN’T RULES / CHANGES
HAPPEN IN THE PAST):
7. I didn’t prepare well for last year’s exam. ( I didn’t pass.)
- I wish I had prepared well for last year’s exam. Past Simple Past Perfect
8. I failed the test again. ( My parents punished me.)
Negative Affirmative
- If only I hadn’t failed the test again.
Affirmative Negative
9. I wasn’t here yesterday to enjoy the party.
- If only / I wish I had been here yesterday to enjoy it.

past Simple Past Perfect

10 . I couldn’t go with you to the party. ( I was sick.)
Negative Affirmative
- If only / I wish I could have gone with you to the party.
couldn’t could have + p.p

A. PUT THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT FORM.

1. I wish I (not /miss ) __________________the end-of-term school party. They say it was
great.
2. I wish I ( be ) _______________________very rich, so I could help all the poor and the
needy.
3.They wish they ( can) ______________________help, but they can’t ; they’re too busy now.
4. I wish the weather ( not/ be) _____________colder, so we could stay here to enjoy the picnic.
5. If only I (turn )________________________in the school project on time last week.
B. REWRITE THESE SENTENCES AS INDICATED :
1. I want to buy this computer, but I don’ have enough money.
 I wish ………………………………………….……………………………………
2. I’m not a hardworking student.
If only ………………………………………………………………………
3. I work on Sundays, too.
I wish ……………………………………………………………………
4. I can’t drive now.
I wish ………………………………………………………
5. “ I didn’t spend enough time with family,” Sarah regretted
Sara wishes ……………………………………………………………………………

Write a suitable reply for these situations. You can find the solutions below.
1. A friend wants you to drive him home. You don't have a car. If ...
I wish ...
2. Peter eats lots of fast food. He isn´t healthy. If you ...
3. You had an argument with a friend. Then she had a party and didn't invite you. If ...
I wish ...
4. It's your best friend birthday, but you don't have any money to buy him a present. If ...
I wish ...
If only ...
5. Your sister is always chatting on the Internet. Your father gets angry with her. If ...
6. You forgot to phone Carol and she didn't go to your birthday party. If ...
I wish ...
If only ...
7. Your house is very small. I wish ...
If only ...
8. You watch too much television. You don't have much time to study. Your mother says: If ...
I wish ...
If only ...
9. You are in Germany. You can't speak German. I wish ...
If only ...