Wish + past simple — present regret
Use wish + past simple to express a regret about the present — something that is not true now, but you want it to be.
| Wish sentence | Reality |
|---|---|
| I wish I knew the answer. | I don't know the answer. |
| She wishes she spoke French. | She doesn't speak French. |
| I wish it weren't so cold. | It is cold — I don't like it. |
| He wishes he had more time. | He doesn't have enough time. |
were not was:
After wish, use were for all persons in formal English: "I wish I were taller." Informal: "I wish I was taller." Both are accepted.
Wish + past perfect — past regret
Use wish + past perfect to express regret about something that happened (or didn't happen) in the past.
| Wish sentence | Reality |
|---|---|
| I wish I had studied more. | I didn't study enough — I regret it. |
| She wishes she hadn't said that. | She said it — she regrets it now. |
| I wish we had taken a taxi. | We didn't take a taxi — we were late. |
Wish + would — complaint or desire for change
Use wish + would to express a complaint about a repeated situation or to wish someone (else) would change their behaviour. Cannot be used for own wishes about oneself.
| Wish sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I wish he would stop talking. | He keeps talking — it annoys me. |
| I wish you would listen to me! | You never listen — it frustrates me. |
| She wishes the neighbours wouldn't play music so loud. | They play loud music — she dislikes it. |
Wish + would ≠ own ability or state:
✗ "I wish I would be taller." (own state → use past simple: "I wish I were taller.") ✓ "I wish you would be on time."
If only
If only follows the exact same grammar as wish, but is more emphatic and emotional.
| If only (emphatic) | Equivalent wish |
|---|---|
| If only I knew! | I wish I knew. |
| If only I had listened to you! | I wish I had listened to you. |
| If only he would reply to my messages! | I wish he would reply to my messages. |
Exercises
Choose the correct form after wish.
1. I wish I ___ the answer.
2. She wishes she ___ that.
3. I wish he ___ make so much noise!
4. I wish I ___ taller.
5. If only we ___ the map — we got completely lost.