1. WISHES WOULD RATHER HAD BETTER

2. Wish + would/could + bare infinitive
ability or possibility in the present or near future
e.g. I wish I could get in touch with Tom.
I wish I could find a better job.
Note: The structure wish + would is used with different subjects.
e.g. I wish I could find a better job.
NOT I wish I would find a better job.
I wish she would find a better job.
wish + would
Complaint about the present or a desire for a change
e.g. I wish she would stop asking me silly questions.

3. Wish + past simple/ past continuous
Dissatisfaction with a present situation
Hopes and dreams
e.g. I wish I spoke better Italian.
I wish I knew how to drive a car.
She wishes she were going on that cruise.

4. Wish + past perfect/ modal perfect
Regret about a past situation that cannot change
e.g. I wish we hadn’t left so early. (past perfect simple)
I wish we could have stayed longer. (modal perfect)

5. If only instead of wish
To emphasize a wish or to express strong desire or regret
WISH cannot be used with present or future tenses because a wish is hypothetical.
For possible situations we use HOPE
e.g. I hope it doesn’t rain while we are in Italy.
Compare:
I hope we meet up later. (we may do so)
I wish we could meet later. (but we can’t)

6. would rather Would rather + bare infinitive (same subjects)
e.g. I’d rather leave by plane. (present/ future)
Would rather + perfect infinitive (same subjects)
e.g. I’d rather have slept in a hotel. (past)
I’d rather not have gone to the party. (past)
Different subjects
1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past simple (present/ future)
e.g. I’ d rather you didn’t work so late.
1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past perfect simple (past)
e.g. I’d rather she had not come with us.

7. had better
had better + bare infinitive = to give strong and urgent advice in a present or future situation
e.g. You’d better drive more carefully.