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Wishes

Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and exercises.

We use WISH and IF ONLY to talk about things thatwe would like to be different in either the present or the past.

1) To express a regret about the present, we use wish + the past simple

I don't play the piano.	I wish I played the piano.
My colleague doesn't speak English.	He wishes he spoke English.
George doesn't have a car.	George wishes he had a car.

2) To express a regret about the past, we use wish + the past perfect

Eva lost her umbrella yesterday.	She wishes she hadn't lost it.
I ate too much at lunch time.	I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
I bought an expansive bag.	I wish I had bought a cheaper one.

3) To express a desire to change something, we use wish + would/could

The weather is awful.	I wish the weather would improve.
The children are making noise.	I wish they would stop making noise.
My job is boring.	I wish I could find a better job.

Please note

I wish can be replaced with if only witch carries more emphasis. If only you had told me in time! = I wish you had told me in time.
When wish if followed by the verb to be, were is used instead of was

Exercises - Wishes

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1) I wish my parents will give would give should give me more money.

2) I wish the house weren't aren't isn't so dirty.

3) I wish he can may could learn faster.

4) I wish he hasn't have hadn't failed his test.

5) I wish he will stop shall stop would stop drinking so much.

6) I wish I had met have met has met that actor.

7) I wish he is are were with us now.

8) I wish I hasn't left hadn't left haven't left my job.

9) I wish I is were am rich.

10) I wish my children would get will get should get better marks.

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