This document discusses different ways to use "wish" and "if only" to express things that are desired but not currently true. It provides examples of using wish with "to be", the simple past, "would", and "could" to talk about present and ability desires. It also notes that using the past perfect with wish expresses regret over things not done in the past.

1. WISH / IF ONLY
THINGS YOU WANT TO CHANGE

2. Wish + to be
 I wish I were taller.
 He wishes he were American.
 They wish we were quiet.
Imaginary things that
you would like to be
true in the present.

3. Wish + simple past
 I wish I had ten houses.
 He wishes he lived abroad.
 We wish we spoke Chinese.
Imaginary things that
you would like to be
true in the present.

4. Wish + would
 I wish my students would visit the blog everyday.
 He wishes his son would behave better.
 We wish Colombia would be a better country.
When you want
something or
someone to change.

5. Wish + could
 I wish I could dance better.
 He wishes he could speak fluent English.
 They wish she could sing well.
When you want to
talk about abilities.

6. If only I
 If only I could dance better.
 If only I were rich.
 If only she had money.
 If only he would pay more attention.
When you want to
make the sentence to
be stronger

7. Wish + past perfect
 I wish I had visited my cousin before she moved abroad.
 He wishes he had paid more attention in class.
 We wish Colombia had been an English colony.
Imaginary things we
wanted to be true in
the past or regrets