WISH IF ONLY

Conditional sentences are statements deliberating known circumstances or speculative situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences incorporate a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. For instance:

If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.

We have different structures for conditionals:

“If only” and “wish” are used to show our regrets or wishes in the past and the present and also wishes about the future.

Expressing regret means having a feeling of grief about something that you did or did not do. We can express regret by using wish or if only:

           2.1 A wish/ regret/ criticism that something happened or didn’t happen in the past.

MAIN STRUCTURE

I wish / if only + Past perfect

Examples:

• I wish I had studied harder.
• If only I hadn't done that.

           2.2 A wish/ regret/ criticism that a present, future or general situation is not what you would like to be.

MAIN STRUCTURE

I wish / if only + Past simple

Examples:

• I wish I were taller.
• If only he knew the truth.

We generally use the verb “wish” to express strong desires, to wish for something to be different than it is (or was) or longing for something new or particular to take place in the future.

            3.1 Wishes about the present and future.

a) To express that we want a situation in the present (or future) to be different.

MAIN STRUCTURE

wish + Past simple

Example:

• I wish I spoke Russian. (I don´t speak such language)

b) To express that we want to be doing a different action in the present (or future).

MAIN STRUCTURE

wish + Past continuous

Example:

• I wish I were lying on my bed now. (I’m in the office)

3.2.  Wishes about the past.

c) To express a regret, or that we want a situation in the past to be different.

MAIN STRUCTURE

wish + Past perfect

Example:

• I wish I hadn´t eaten so much. (I ate a lot)

Azar, B. S., Azar, D.A., & Koch R.S. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar. Longman.

Hewings, M. (2013) Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Advanced Learners of English. Cambridge University Press.

Murphy, R. (2019). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press.

Swan, M. (2019) English Grammar Course Advanced. Oxford University Press

Image 1. Own source

Image 2. istockphoto.com_ https://www.istockphoto.com/es/foto/mano-gira-dados-y-cambia-la-expresi%C3%B3n-mi-culpa-a-tu-culpa-gm1249202276-364015085

Image 3. pexels.com_ https://www.pexels.com/photo/handmade-christmas-gift-box-with-inscription-among-coniferous-branches-5709055/

Azar, B. S., Azar, D.A., & Koch R.S. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar. Longman.

▪ Practice exercise written by Alonso Gordillo_Language Department at ENES-LEON UNAM

https://www.istockphoto.com/es/foto/psic%C3%B3logo-entendiendo-los-problemas-de-una-paciente-gm1169696855-323446825