In English, "wish" and "if only" are commonly used to express regrets about the past, present, or future. These expressions allow speakers to convey their desires for situations to be different from reality. This article will explore the form, meaning, and use of "wish" and "if only" when expressing regrets, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to use them effectively.

Form

Wish

The structure of "wish" varies depending on whether you are talking about the past, present, or future:

• Present Regrets: Subject + wish + subject + past simple (e.g., "I wish I knew the answer.")
• Past Regrets: Subject + wish + subject + past perfect (e.g., "I wish I had studied harder.")
• Future Regrets: Subject + wish + subject + would + base verb (e.g., "I wish it would stop raining.")

If Only

The structure of "if only" is similar to "wish" and is used to emphasize the regret:

• Present Regrets: If only + subject + past simple (e.g., "If only I knew the answer.")
• Past Regrets: If only + subject + past perfect (e.g., "If only I had studied harder.")
• Future Regrets: If only + subject + would + base verb (e.g., "If only it would stop raining.")

Meaning

Present Regrets

When expressing regrets about the present, "wish" and "if only" are used with the past simple tense to indicate a desire for the present situation to be different.

• Wish: "I wish I were taller." (I am not tall, but I want to be taller.)
• If Only: "If only I were taller." (Emphasizes the regret about not being tall.)

Past Regrets

For past regrets, "wish" and "if only" are used with the past perfect tense to express a desire for a different outcome in the past.

• Wish: "I wish I had gone to the party." (I did not go to the party, but I regret it.)