English Grammar : Wish/if only

Learn Grammar | English Grammar : Wish/if only | The word wish is similar in meaning to the expression would like ; I wish I had a big house = I would like to have a big house. Its main uses is to express regret that things are not different. It is possible to use wish in this way to talk about both the present/future and the past.

• Wish/if only + Past tense

To express regret about the present ( to say the he would like something to be different )
Example : I wish I had a car ( I do not have a car ) ; if only I were a president ( I am not a president)
Were is used instead of was after wish and if only, especially in a more formal style

• Wish/ if only + Would

When we want something to stop happening, or we want something different to happen.
Example : I wish it would stop raining : if only you would stop complaining.

• Wish /if only + past perfect

To express regret that something happened or did not happened in the past.
Example : If only you had explained the situation to me (you did not explain the situation to me.

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