Wish, Regret, If Only

This lesson explains how to use wish and if only to express regrets or desires about the present, the past, and the future. You will learn the correct verb forms and how to show annoyance or a desire for change.

• Use wish + past simple to express regret about the present (I wish I knew).
• Use wish + past perfect to express regret about the past (I wish I had known).
• Use wish + would to express annoyance or a desire for someone/something to change in the future.
• If only can replace wish to add emphasis (If only I had more time).

Choose the verb form depending on whether you're upset about the present, the past, or asking for change:

• Present regret → wish + past simple (I wish I knew).
• Past regret → wish + past perfect (I wish I had known).
• Want someone to change → wish + would + base verb (I wish he would improve).
• Desire for ability → wish + could (I wish I could help).

Use 'if only' for stronger emphasis in the same patterns.

Learners often make predictable errors when using wish and if only. Watch for these:

• Using will/would after wish to talk about your own present situation (incorrect: I wish I would know → correct: I wish I knew).
• Using present simple instead of past simple after wish for present regrets (incorrect: I wish I know).
• Using past simple instead of past perfect for past regrets (incorrect: I wish I knew yesterday → correct: I wish I had known yesterday).
• Confusing wish with hope (hope is for possible/future outcomes; wish often expresses unreal or impossible situations).
• Overusing 'would' where 'could' or past forms are needed (I wish I would come → I wish I could come).

Check the time reference (present/past/future) before choosing the verb form.