Wish and If Only

Express unreal present wishes, past regrets and desired changes using wish or if only with past forms, past perfect and would.

2 resources

Grammar lesson
C1 level

Unreal past: It's time, I'd rather and as if

Use past forms to express present or future preferences and distance from reality. Compare it's time, would rather, wish and as if, and distinguish these uses from past regrets.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B2 level

Wish and if only: Regrets and things you'd change

Express wishes about the present, regrets about the past and desired changes in behaviour. Practise wish and if only with past forms, past perfect and would.

Sep 17, 2026