INGLÉS AVANZADO

WISH / IF ONLY AND ALTERNATIVES

There are three main forms of WISH sentences in English, which are used depending on the point of reference of the speaker: past, present or future situations. IF ONLY can replace the verb wish, and is often used to express a strong wish or deep regret.

1. WISH / IF ONLY + PAST PERFECT

Form:

The expressions can also introduce hypothetical situations in the past and then they are followed by the past perfect.

Function:

It is used to refer to past situations; to express regret about a past situation:

Examples:

She wishes she had seen the film last week.

I wish he had been here last night to defend our position in the meeting.

If only I had studied languages. (but I didn't)

If only he had written sooner!

*Another way of expressing criticism and regret about the past is the verb SHOULD and a perfect infinitive of the main verb:

Examples:

She should have told us the truth. No wonder we are angry at her now.

We should have brought sun cream for the children. Their backs are extremely red.

2. WISH / IF ONLY + PAST SIMPLE

Form:

Function:

It refers to a present situation, to express dissatisfaction with this situation. The verb form 'were' is used as the form of be in all wishes about the present - a subjunctive form of. It may also refer to something unreal or hypothetical.

Examples:

If only I had a bigger room in the residence.

I wish my sister were still at home. Now I feel really lonely.

I wish I had a car to avoid getting the train every morning.

I enjoy my job enormously, but I wish it were closer to home.

3. WISH + WOULD/COULD + INFINITIVE

Form:

Function:

1. It usually refers to a specific action in the future:

Examples:

I wish she could come with us and see the beautiful scenery of the Midlands.

She wishes he would help her with her homework.

2. But it can be used instead of the past simple option when referring to a present habitual action which we want to complain about or to express a desire for a change:

Examples:

I wish my brother wouldn't shout at me.

I wish he would be more polite to his parents.

If only the teacher wouldn't talk so loudly.

I'D RATHER AND IT'S TIME

These two expressions are also followed by an unreal past. The verb is in the past tense, but the situation is in the present.

1. I'D RATHER + PAST TENSE

When we want to talk about a course of action we would prefer someone else to take, we use I'd rather + past tense:

Examples:

I'd rather you went.

He'd rather you called the police.

I'd rather you didn't hurt elephants.

2. I'D RATHER + PRESENT PERFECT

This is another alternative to the use of WISH or IF ONLY, when they are followed by a prefect infinitive.

Example:

I'd rather have learnt German than Italian. It has more job perspectives.

I'd rather have travelled to the desert than the jungle. It was full of mosquitoes.

3. IT'S TIME + PAST TENSE

Similarly, when we want to say that now is a suitable moment to do something, either for ourselves or for someone else, we use it's time + past tense:

Examples:

It's high time I went.

It's time you paid that bill.

Don't you think it's time you had a haircut?

QUESTION: Complete the followings sentences with the right verb tense:

1. I wish I ____________________ more money, but I don't.

2. If only I ____________________ speak German, but I can't.

3. I wish they _____________________ me a discount, but they didn't.

4. If only she _____________________ me, yesterday, but she didn't.

5. I wish my car ___________________, but it won't.

6. I'd rather you ___________________ wild animals, but you do.