When you make a wish, you imagine a different reality. That is why the verb after wish moves one step back in time, just as it does in the second and third conditionals: a past form talks about the present, and the past perfect talks about the past. I wish I knew means I don't know; I wish I had known means I didn't know.
If only works in the same way, but it sounds stronger and more emotional. Don't confuse wish with hope: you hope for things that are possible and might really happen, and you wish for things that are not true or are very unlikely.
How to form sentences with wish and if only
After wish and if only, the verb moves one step back in time. That after wish is optional: I wish (that) I had more time.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present situation | wish / if only + past simple or past continuous | I wish I lived near the beach. I wish you weren't leaving so soon. |
| Ability now | wish / if only + could + base verb | I wish I could speak Japanese. If only we could stay longer. |
| Past regret | wish / if only + past perfect (had + past participle) | I wish I had listened to you. If only we hadn't missed the bus. |
| Wanting change | wish / if only + person or thing + would + base verb | I wish you would call more often. I wish it would stop raining. |
| Be | wish / if only + I/he/she/it + were (or was) | I wish I were taller. If only she were here. |
- Were is the traditional form after wish and if only for every person (I wish I were, I wish he were) and is preferred in formal writing. Was is very common in everyday speech: I wish it was Friday.
- Wish + would is normally about other people or things, not yourself. For your own situation, use a past form or could: I wish I had more time (not I wish I would have more time).
- For a past ability or chance that you missed, use wish + could have + past participle: I wish I could have come to your party.
- If only often stands alone as an exclamation: If only I had known!
- Wish has two other uses with different grammar: wish + to + base verb is a formal way to say want (I wish to speak to the manager), and wish + person + noun expresses good wishes (We wish you a happy new year).
When to use wish and if only
1. Wishes about the present (wish + past simple or could)
Use wish + past simple to talk about a present situation that you would like to be different, and wish + could for an ability you don't have. The past form doesn't mean past time; it shows that the situation is not real.
- I wish I had a bigger apartment. (My apartment is small.)
- She wishes she didn't have to work on weekends.
- I wish I could play the piano. (I can't play it.)
2. Regrets about the past (wish + past perfect)
Use wish + past perfect to say that you are sorry about something that happened, or didn't happen, in the past. It is too late to change it.
- I wish I had studied harder in high school.
- He wishes he hadn't sold his old guitar.
- I wish we had taken more photos on our vacation.
3. Wanting someone or something to change (wish + would)
Use wish + person or thing + would + base verb when you want someone to change their behavior or want something to happen. It often shows that you are annoyed or impatient.
- I wish you would stop interrupting me.
- I wish my neighbors wouldn't play loud music at night.
- I wish the bus would come. We've been waiting for ages.
4. If only: a stronger wish
If only follows the same patterns as wish, but it sounds more emotional. It often stands alone as an exclamation.
- If only I had more time!
- If only I hadn't said that to her!
- If only the rain would stop!
5. I wish I were: be after wish
After wish and if only, were is the traditional form of be for every person, especially in writing. In everyday speech, was is also common after I, he, she and it.
- I wish I were on a beach right now.
- If only my brother were here to help.
- I wish it was the weekend. (informal)
Wish patterns and similar expressions
- wish + past simple
- wish + could
- wish + past perfect
- wish + would
- if only
- I'd rather + past simple
- it's time + past simple
Like wish, I'd rather (with another person as the subject) and it's time use a past form to talk about the present or future: I'd rather you didn't tell anyone. It's time we went home.
Examples
Positive
- I wish I had more free time.
- I wish I had gone to the concert with you.
- She wishes she could speak French.
- If only I knew where my keys were!
Negative
- I wish I didn't have so much homework.
- I wish I hadn't eaten that last slice of pizza.
- I wish you wouldn't leave your shoes in the hallway.
- If only it weren't so expensive.
Questions
- Do you ever wish you lived in a big city?
- Don't you wish you had studied abroad?
- What do you wish you had done differently?
- Which language do you wish you could speak?
Wish or hope?
Both verbs are about things you want, but they work differently. Use hope for things that are possible: they may be true, or they may still happen. Use wish for things that are not true or are very unlikely, which is why it takes a past form even when you talk about now.
| Hope (possible) | Wish (not true or unlikely) |
|---|---|
| I hope it's sunny tomorrow. (it might be) | I wish it were sunny today. (it isn't) |
| I hope she calls me. (she might) | I wish she would call me. (she doesn't, and I'm sad about it) |
| I hope I passed the test. (I don't know the result yet) | I wish I had passed the test. (I know I failed) |
| I hope you have a great birthday. (hope + a full sentence) | We wish you a happy birthday. (wish + person + noun for good wishes) |
Common mistakes
- WrongI wish I would have more time.RightI wish I had more time.
For a present situation, use wish + past simple; wish + would is for things you want other people or things to change.
- WrongI wish you will pass your exam.RightI hope you pass your exam.
For something possible in the future, use hope; wish is never followed by will.
- WrongI wish I didn't eat so much last night.RightI wish I hadn't eaten so much last night.
For a regret about the past, use wish + past perfect.
- WrongI wish I can speak Italian.RightI wish I could speak Italian.
After wish, can moves back to could.
- WrongIf only I would have known the truth!RightIf only I had known the truth!
For a past regret, if only takes the past perfect, not would have.
- WrongI wish I am taller.RightI wish I were taller.
After wish, use a past form of be (were, or was in informal speech), not the present.
Far from home
Examples of wish and if only are highlighted.
Elena moved to Toronto six months ago, and she loves her new job. Still, there are days when she misses home. She wishes she could see her grandmother more often, and she wishes the winters weren't quite so long. Sometimes she thinks about the move itself. "I wish I had learned more about the city before I came," she told her sister last week. "And I wish I hadn't brought so many clothes!" Her sister just laughed. Right now Elena is waiting for the bus in the snow. If only it would come! A man next to her is talking angrily on the phone. "I wish you would answer my messages," he says. Elena smiles. If only everyone's problems were that simple.
Wish and If Only quiz
8 questions. Choose an answer to see if it is right and why.
Wish and If Only: questions and answers
How do you use wish in English?
Use wish + past simple for a present situation you would like to change (I wish I had a car), wish + past perfect for a regret about the past (I wish I had called her) and wish + would for something you want another person or thing to change (I wish you would stop).
What is the difference between wish and hope?
Use hope for things that are possible: I hope you get the job. Use wish for things that are not true or are very unlikely: I wish I had a better job. Hope is often followed by the present simple, even for the future, but wish is never followed by will.
Is it "I wish I was" or "I wish I were"?
Both are used. I wish I were is the traditional form and is preferred in formal writing, while I wish I was is very common in everyday speech.
What is the difference between wish and if only?
They follow the same grammar, but if only is stronger and more emotional. It often appears in short exclamations: If only I had known!
Can I say "I wish I would"?
Usually not. For your own situation, use a past form or could: I wish I had more time, I wish I could swim. Wish + would is for other people or things you want to change: I wish he would call.