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English grammar · Level B1–B2

I wish and if only: rules and examples

I wish (and the stronger if only) expresses regret about how things are or were. The trick is that the tense moves one step back: about the present — wish + past simple (I wish I knew), about the past — wish + past perfect (I wish I had studied), and about someone’s annoying behaviour — wish + would.

Author: Anastasiia SokurUpdated

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Contents
  1. I wish: table of forms
  2. Wishes about the present: wish + past simple
  3. Wishes about the past: wish + past perfect
  4. I wish you would: complaints and requests
  5. Wish or hope?
  6. Common mistakes
  7. Check yourself
  8. FAQ

I wish: table of forms

I wish: forms and meanings
AboutFormExample
the presentwish + Past SimpleI wish I had more time.
the present, to bewish + wereI wish I were taller.
ability nowwish + couldI wish I could drive.
the pastwish + Past PerfectI wish I hadn’t said that.
annoying behaviourwish + wouldI wish you would stop talking.

The logic is the same as in conditionals: the past simple is “unreal now”, the past perfect “unreal in the past”. Practise in the conditionals quiz.

Wishes about the present: wish + past simple

We regret the situation now. The form is past but the meaning is present: I wish I knew = I don’t know, and I’m sorry about it.

  • I wish I lived by the sea.

  • I wish it wasn’t so cold.

  • I wish I could speak French.

  • If only I were a bit braver!

Wishes about the past: wish + past perfect

We regret something that happened (or didn’t happen), and it can’t be changed.

  • I wish I had studied harder at school.

  • I wish I hadn’t eaten so much.

  • If only we had left earlier!

I wish you would: complaints and requests

Wish + would is for behaviour that annoys us and that we want someone to change. We don’t say I wish I would.

  • I wish you would listen to me.

  • I wish it would stop raining.

Wish or hope?

Hope is for real, possible things, with a normal tense: I hope you pass the exam. Wish is for unreal things or things that can’t be changed. For good wishes use wish + noun: I wish you good luck.

Common mistakes

What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.

  • Wrong: I wish I know the answer.

    Right: I wish I knew the answer.

    Present wish: past simple.

  • Wrong: I wish I didn’t say that yesterday.

    Right: I wish I hadn’t said that yesterday.

    Past regret: past perfect.

  • Wrong: I wish I would be rich.

    Right: I wish I were rich.

    Would is only for other people and situations.

  • Wrong: I wish you pass the exam.

    Right: I hope you pass the exam.

    A real hope: hope.

Check yourself

Quiz: I wish and if only

12 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.

I wish I knew · I wish I had known

Take the quizAnother quiz on this topic: Conditionals

FAQ

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How do you use I wish?

Present: wish + past simple (I wish I had a car). Past: wish + past perfect (I wish I had bought it). Annoying behaviour: wish + would (I wish he would call). Ability: wish + could (I wish I could sing).

I wish I was or I wish I were?

Both are correct. Were is more formal and is the safer choice in exams; was is common in conversation.

What is the difference between if only and I wish?

The grammar is the same, but if only is more emotional: If only I had more time! = I really wish I had more time.

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