11 Modal auxiliarles and related verbs
11.7 Expressing wishes, etc.: 'I wish', 'if only', 'it's (high) time'
11.7A Present and past reference with 'I wish', 'if only' and 'it's (high) time'
[> LEG 11.41-43]Study: After (I) wish, if only, it's (high) time and it's (about) time, we 'go one tense back':
1 The past tense refers to the present: I wish I had a better watch! (i.e. NOW)
2 The past perfect tense refers to the past: if only you had asked me first! (i.e. THEN)Write: Tick the sentences that refer to 'present' or 'past'.1 I wish I had a better watch!
2 If only I knew the answer to the problem!
3 It's high time/about time he learnt more manners!
4 I wish you hadn't done that!
5 If only you had phoned me yesterday!present
i/past11.7B Expressing wishes and regrets with 'I wish' and 'if only' [> LEG 11.41-42.1 З]
Study: 1 We often use I wish for things that might (still) happen:
I wish I knew the answer! (= it's possible I might find out the answer)
If only is stronger. We use it to express regret for things that can (now) never happen:
If only your mother were alive now! (Of course, I wish is also possible.)2 We may use the simple past of be after wish and if only, especially in everyday speech:
I wish I was on holiday now. If only Tessa was here now!3 If we want to be more formal, we use were in all persons [> 11.13B, 14.2B]:
I wish I were on holiday now. If only Tessa were here!4 We may use the past perfect of be for things that can never happen:
I wish I had been on holiday last week. If only Tessa had been here yesterday!5 We use the past or past perfect forms of other verbs:
I wish I knew the answer to your question. I wish I had known then what I know now!Write: Express wishes and regrets about these situations. Refer to yourself where possible.1 You're not very fit
2 It's very hot today
3 It's raining
4 You were too impatient
5 You wasted a lot of time watching TV
6 They don't have a lot of friends
7 We didn't lock the back door!
8 He is abroad
9 Jane has read your letter
10 John didn't take your advice