Wishes
Sentences with wish and if only were used when we talk about things we want to change.
We have two types of wish sentences.
- I wish for something I can change (present)
- I wish for something someone other can change (present)
- I wish that something is different that happend in the past. (past)
Take a look at the following table:
| Type of the wish | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present: I can change it | wish/if only + past tense | I wish I could swim. |
| Present: Someone else can change it | wish + would | I wish they would buy a new oven. |
| Past: I wish that something happend different | wish/if only + past perfect | I wish I had come to work earlier today. |
After a would you always have to use present simple if you write about a thing you want to be changed.
Some more examples
- I wish we had a bigger office.
- I wish the internet speed here was faster.
- I wish the sun would shine.
- He wishes I would work less.
- I wish I had bought a cat when I was little.