6.3 WISH / IF ONLY
We can make second and third conditionals more emphatic by placing only after if:
If (only) I knew the answer, I'd tell you.
If (only) I had revised more, I would have done better on my exam.
If only can be replaced with I wish, and the main clause can be omitted:
I wish I knew the answer.
I wish I had revised more.
Patterns introduced with I wish... are used to express wishes about the present, past and future.
Wishes about the present
wish / if only + past subjunctive
This pattern is used to express wishes or regrets about the present:
I wish I lived nearer. Then we could meet more often. (I'm sorry that I don't live nearer)
Cathy wishes she had blond hair. (Cathy is sorry that she doesn't have blond hair)
Instead of the past subjunctive, we can use could + infinitive:
You're brilliant. I wish I could play the guitar like you. (I'm sorry that I can't play the guitar like you)
Wishes about the past
wish / if only + past perfect subjunctive
This pattern is used to express wishes or regrets about the past:
I wish I had never told him my secret. (I'm sorry that I told him my secret)
Santiago wishes he hadn't spent so much money last night. (Santiago regrets spending so much money last night)
Instead of the past perfect subjunctive, we can use could + perfect infinitive:
If only I could have been there. I'm sure it was a great concert. (I'm sorry that I couldn't be there)
Wishes about the future
wish / if only + would
This pattern is used for wishes about the future when there is a chance that something may happen or somebody (but not the person who wishes) may change their behaviour:
I wish it would stop snowing.
I wish Mark would call me back.
I wish more people would read my blog.
Wish + would can also express not-so-polite requests or complaints:
I wish you wouldn't smoke in here.