The document discusses the use of "wish" and "if only" to express hypothetical situations based on desires. It provides examples of using wish/if only with different tenses: (1) wish/simple past for present or future hypotheticals, (2) wish/past perfect for present regrets about past actions, and (3) wish/would for present or future hopes. It then gives sentences to rewrite using wish/if only constructions.

1. Albert’s virtual classroom

2. WISH /IF ONLY
 We use wish /if only to indicate hypothetical situations based on strong desires
1) Wish + Simple Past to indicate present or future hypothetical situation.
I wish I had a lot of money
I don’t have much money but I’d love to.
If only I had a lot of money
2) Wish +Past perfect to indicate present regret for a fulfilled or unfulfilled past action.
Tom wishes he had invested his savings in dollars
Tom regrets not having invested his savings in dollars.
If only Tom had invested his savings in dollars Tom is sorry for not having invested his savings in dollars.
3) Wish + would to indicate present or future hope.
Sue wishes Tom would get married to her
Sue really wants Tom to get married to her but he doesn’t.
If only Tom would get married to Sue Tom will never marry Sue although she would love to.

3. REWRITE THESE SENTENCES WITH WISH/IF ONLY
1- “Please, don’t say things like that”
I wish you wouldn’t say things like that. I wish you didn’t say things like that.
2- “Why did you say things like that?”
If only you hadn’t said things like that
3- Steve is sorry that he couldn’t help her sister yesterday.
Steve wishes he had been able to help her sister yesterday.
4- Betty would love to win a lot of money at the casino.
Betty wishes she would win a lot of money at the casino.
5- My friend regrets that he lied to me.
My friend wishes he hadn’t lied to me.
6- If I were you, I would feel happy.
I wish I were you to feel happy. If only I were you, I’d feel happy.