Wish and If only We use wish and if only to talk about things | Simple English
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.
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 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.
