8.2 wish/if only

8.2 wish/if only

UNREAL PAST

• wish/if only +sbd+ PAST SIMPLE (sbd really wants a present or future situation to be different)

• It's (high) time + sbd + PAST SIMPLE (sbd should do sth now/future)

• would rather + sbd + PAST SIMPLE (sbd would prefer SBD ELSE to do now/future)

PAST REGRETS

• wish/if only + sbd + PAST PERFECT to talk about PAST regret (you can't change it anymore:/

• If only I had put more effort in learning English

• I wish I hadn't wasted so much time playing PS last semester...

• NOTE: IF ONLY -much stronger than wish

Let's practise

Multiple Choice

You want to go to the cinema but I don’t.

I’d rather we went / would go to the theatre.

• went

• would go

Multiple Choice

We didn’t book the rooms in advance. –> If only we booked / had booked the rooms in advance.

• booked

• had booked

Multiple Choice

I can’t swim. –> I wish I can / could swim.

• can

• could

Multiple Choice

I should learn how to swim. –> It’s time I learned / had learned how to swim.

• learned

• had learned

Multiple Choice

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to help us. –> I wish she was / had been able to help us.

• was

• had been able

Multiple Choice

They’re coming with us. –> I’d rather they aren’t / weren’t coming with us.

• aren't

• weren't

Multiple Choice

He isn’t a formal member of the club, unfortunately. –> If only he was / had been a formal member of the club.

• was

• had been

Fill in the Blank

I wish I __________(allow) the kids to go on that trip last weekend.

Fill in the Blank

If only my parents _______ (know) what I’m going through right now!

Fill in the Blank

I’d rather my ex-boyfriend ________ (not be) invited to the party but, unfortunately, he is.

Fill in the Blank

It’s high time you _______ (start) taking some responsibility for your actions!

Fill in the Blank

I wish I _________ (can) just ask them but I can’t!

Fill in the Blank

The water in the lake isn’t clean. ONLY

If only ...

Fill in the Blank

You should learn how to drive. HIGH

It's high time ...

Fill in the Blank

You want to go out but I want to stay in tonight. RATHER

You want to go out but

Fill in the Blank

You aren’t coming with us and I think it’s a shame. WISH

Fill in the Blank

It’s a shame we didn’t go to New Zealand with them. IF

Fill in the Blank

I think the teacher gives the children too much homework. RATHER

Fill in the Blank

It’s a shame this candidate didn’t win the election. WISH