English (UK) · If-Clauses

Wishes & Regrets

Use wish (or the stronger if only) to talk about things you would like to be different. The verb after it moves one step back in time:

Present wish → past simple: I wish I had more time. (I don't have enough time.) With be, were is standard and was is common in speech: I wish I were/was taller.
Ability → could: I wish I could swim.
Past regret → past perfect: I wish I hadn't said that. (I said it, and I'm sorry.)
Annoyance, or wanting someone or something to change → would + base form: I wish you would stop talking. If only it would stop raining!

Don't use would about yourself: say I wish I could…, not I wish I would….

Examples

I wish I (have) more free time these days.Show answer

I wish I had more free time these days.

I wish I (be) a bit taller.Show answer

I wish I were a bit taller.

I wish I (know) the answer right now.Show answer

I wish I knew the answer right now.

My brother wishes he (live) in London now.Show answer

My brother wishes he lived in London now.

We wish we (not have) to work this weekend.Show answer

We wish we didn't have to work this weekend.

If only I (have) a car, I could drive you home.Show answer

If only I had a car, I could drive you home.

She wishes she (speak) French as well as her husband does.Show answer

She wishes she spoke French as well as her husband does.

I wish I (can) speak Japanese.Show answer

I wish I could speak Japanese.

I wish I (can) come to your party on Saturday.Show answer

I wish I could come to your party on Saturday.

My grandmother wishes she (can) see better without glasses.Show answer

My grandmother wishes she could see better without glasses.