3. He wishes he were somewhere else.
If only he were somewhere else.
4. We use wish / If only + past to express
that the speaker is unhappy about a
situation.
For example:
Bob wishes he were somewhere
else.
If only he were somewhere else.
5. I wish they
would stop
smoking!
If only they
would let
me eat
peacefully!
6. WISH / IF ONLY + WOULD
We use wish / If only + would +
infinitive to refer to a situation that the
speaker hopes (but doubts) will
happen in the future.
For example:
• I wish they would stop smoking.
• If only they would let me eat
peacefully.
7.
8. He wishes he
hadn’t drunk
so many beers
yesterday.
If only he hadn’t
drunk so many
beers yesterday.
9. WISH / IF ONLY + PAST PERFECT
We use wish / If only + past perfect to
express dissatisfaction or regret
about the past.
For example:
• John wishes he hadn’t drunk so
many beers yesterday.
• If only he hadn’t drunk so many
beers yesterday.
