Wish / If Only : present situations

Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ past simple

I wish I had more responsibility.
Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ past continuous
I wish I was lying on a beach.
Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ would
I wish the boss would listen to my proposals!

If only +noun pronoun+ past simple

If only Mary could work for us.
If only +noun pronoun+ past continuous
If only the baby was sleeping.
If only +noun pronoun+ would
If only Jeff would consider hiring Peter.

(This means we want a situation in the present (or future) to be different.)

What do they wish?

1.

2.

5.

3.

4.

6.

7.

8.
Wish / If Only: past situations
Subject+ wish + noun/pronoun+ had+ past
participle

If only + noun/pronoun + had+ past participle

Janet wishes she had applied for a new

If only I had studied German at school.
position.
If only we had bought gold instead of property.
We wish you had seen the opportunity in
time.
(This means we want to be able to change a situation in the past.)

What do they wish?

1.

2.

5.

3.

6.

4.

7.

8.