SPEAKOUT UPPER-INTERMEDIATE UNIT 4

 Wish and ‘If only’ are both used to talk about regrets – things that we would like to change either about the past or the present.  I wish you had told me before.  If only I could speak French, then I could talk to that new girl.

 If only I didn’t have so much homework I could go to the concert tonight. She has a lot of homework and she can’t go to the concert.  I wish you didn’t live so far away.  I wish I knew what to do. - When we talk about present regrets, both wish and if only are followed by the past simple tense. The past tense emphasises that we are talking about something ‘unreal’.

- Using were instead of was is considered more correct but can sound quite formal.  I wish I were driving to a beach instead of work. - “If only” can often be used instead of “wish”.  I wish I had more time. = If only I had more time.

- We use wish + would + infinitive to talk about something in the present that we would like to change – usually something (i.e. Other people’s habits) that we find annoying.  I wish you wouldn’t borrow my clothes without asking.  I wish it would rain. The garden really needs some water.  I wish you’d give up smoking. it’s really bad for you.

 We can only use wish + would to talk about things we can’t change.  So, “I wish I wouldn’t eat so much chocolate” is not possible although we can say “I wish I didn’t eat so much chocolate”.

 I wish I’d studied harder when I was at school. He didn’t study harder when he was at school.  I wish I hadn’t eaten all that chocolate. I feel sick.  If only I’d known you were coming. - Both wish and if only are followed by the past perfect tense when we talk about past regrets.

- To express a regret about the past, you can also use “should have + PP (Past Participle)  I should have called you. - In spoken English, we usually say “should’ve” instead of the full form.

- There are three distinct types of I wish / if only sentences:  Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.  Regret with the past perfect (or should have).  Complaints with would + verb. - Also, You don't need to repeat all the verbs all the time:  My flat is cold. I wish it wasn't.  You smoke. I wish you wouldn't.  She told him! I wish she hadn't. -

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