islcollective worksheets intermediate b1 adults high school reading writing unreal meaning grammar drills picture i wish 149364923454242107f32337 13375240

This structure is used to wish or to regret.
“If only” means the same as I wish but it often expresses a stronger desire.

I wish +

Use

Examples

Past Simple

To change a present situation.

I wish I was/were less shy.
If only you were here.

Past Perfect

To wish that a past situation had
happened in a different way.

I wish he had invited me out.
I wish you hadn’t been so rude.

Would + bare

To change a present or future
situation when it doesn’t depend
on you.
NOTE: It cannot be used with the
same subject: I wish I would…*

I wish it would rain.
If only you would stop smoking.

infinitive
(without “to”)



*

I wish I would be taller.
I wish I were taller.



MATCH THE SENTENCES IN COLUMN A TO COLUMN B.

A

B

0. e. I’m exhausted.

a. I wish I had studied a difference course.


2. 
3. 
4. 

5. 
6. 

I’m going to London for a holiday.

b. I wish we hadn’t gone on holiday.

I want to go out on my bicycle.

c. I wish it would stop raining.

Val was my best friend at school.

d. I wish I could speak English.

I haven’t spoken to Belinda for ages.

e. I wish I hadn’t worked all weekend.

1.



The hotel was terrible, I didn’t enjoy it.
The degree I did was very boring.

f. I wish she lived near me.
g. I wish she would call me.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERBS IN

BRACKETS.

0.

I wish we ____had____ (have) more time.

1.

If only Sally ___________________ (help) me more often with the housework.

2.

I wish we _________________ (not have) to do this homework.

3.

If only we ____________________ (speak) English better.

4.

If only I ______________________ (not like) ice cream.

5.

I wish you _____________________ (live) closer to my house.




MATCH THE SENTENCES IN COLUMN A TO COLUMN B.

A
0.

B

g. I’m an only child.

a. We wish we had boyfriends.

 I didn’t get a very good mark.
2.  We had an argument.
3.  We want to go to the dance with someone.
4.  I don’t have much money.
5.  It’s raining now; we have to stay at home.
6.  We’ve been driving around for ages.
1.

b. If only that dress cost less.
c. I wish we could find the house.
d. If only we had gone out this morning.
e. If only Sam would speak to again.
f. I wish I had passed the exam.
g. I wish I had a brother.

 MICK IS LOST IN THE DESERT. WRITE SENTENCES USING I WISH.
0. I haven’t got any water.

 __I wish I had some water__.

1. I haven’t got any water.
I wish
2. The jeep won’t start.
I wish
3. I didn’t bring a map or compass.
I wish
4. I haven’t got a bike.
I wish
5. I did not go with a guide.
I wish



WRITE SENTENCES FROM THE WORDS GIVEN USING I WISH OR IF ONLY.

0. I failed my maths exam again. (I / study more)



I _wish I had studied more_.

1. My cousins live in the U.S. I never see them. (I / can visit them)
2. I forgot my mum’s birthday. (I / write it down)
3. I can’t sleep at night. (it / be so hot)
4. It’s raining and I’m cold. (I / remember umbrella)
5. The bus is late again. (I / have a car)
6. I didn’t see her because I arrived too late. (I / arrive earlier)
7. It won’t stop raining and I want to go out. (it / stop raining)
8. I can’t afford that MP4 player. (I / have more money)
9. I’m absolutely exhausted today. (I / go to bed earlier)

10.

My best friend is angry with me. (We / not argue)




WRITE A SENTENCE WITH WISH FOR EACH SITUATION.

0. I never have enough time to do everything.



I __wish I had more time__.

1. I’m always afraid of things.
I wish
2. I can’t swim very well.
I wish
3. My mum can’t cook.
I wish
4. I’ve got a very old backpack.
I wish
5. We don’t have much time to get to the concert.
I wish



EXPRESSING REGRET. MATCH A TO COLUMN B.

A
0. f. I feel so full.

B
a. If only I had slept last night.

1.

 I’m exhausted.

b. I wish I had a jumper with me.

2.

 I’ve just burnt my mouth.

c. I should have gone to the police.

3.

 I’ve lost my wallet.

d. If only I didn’t have to wash their clothes!

4.

 I can’t learn English.

e. I wish I had been born in London.

5.

 It’s freezing.

f. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much.

6.

 The boys are filthy.

g. If I had tested the soup I would have felt
that it was boiling.



IMAGINE YOU ARE IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS. COMPLETE THEM.

1) You have an important exam. The bus is late.
 I wish the bus __________________________________________________
 I wish I had ____________________________________________________
 I wish _________________________________________________________
2) You’re on holiday in Scotland. It’s raining (again!).
 I wish I was ____________________________________________________
 I wish the rain __________________________________________________
 I wish _________________________________________________________