Wishes and Regrets in English

Wishes and Regrets in English (Wish & If Only Explained Clearly)

Wish and regrets in English are essential grammar structures for expressing things that are not true or situations we would like to change. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use wish and if only to talk about present regrets, past mistakes, and future changes — with clear explanations and exam-focused examples for B2 First and C1 Advanced.

Wish in Fixed Expressions

Sometimes wish simply means “to say something polite”.

Examples:

• I wish you a happy birthday.
• We wish you good luck in your new job.
• She wished him a speedy recovery.

Here, wish does not express regret. It is simply a formal expression.

Wish vs Want

In formal English, wish can sometimes replace want:

• I wish to speak to the manager. (formal)
• I wish to enrol on the course.

However, in everyday conversation, we normally use want.

Saying I wish to speak to the manager sounds polite — and slightly formal.

Wish / If Only + Past Simple

(Regret about the Present)

We use past tense forms after wish and if only to talk about things that are NOT true now.

This is because English uses the past tense to show distance from reality, not just past time.

Structure:

wish / if only + past simple

Examples:

• I wish we were on holiday. (But we aren’t.)
• I wish I had more time. (But I don’t.)
• If only it weren’t so hot. (But it is.)

Important Grammar Note

In formal English, we use were for all subjects:

• I wish I were taller.
• I wish he were here.

However, in informal speech, was is very common.

Wish + Past Continuous

(Wanting to Be Doing Something Different Now)

We use past continuous to imagine a different present action:

• I wish we were flying instead of driving.
• I wish I were lying on a beach right now.
• If only I were sleeping instead of working.

Wish / If Only + Would

(Annoyance or Desire for Change in the Future)

We use would when we want something to change in the future — often because it annoys us.

Structure:

wish / if only + would + base verb

Examples:

• I wish it would stop raining.
• I wish you would listen to me.
• If only my neighbours would stop shouting.

⚠️ Important:

We usually do not use would to talk about ourselves.

❌ I wish I would be richer.

✅ I wish I were richer.

We use would when we want someone or something else to change.

Wish / If Only + Past Perfect

(Regret about the Past)

To express regret about a past situation, we use:

wish / if only + past perfect

Examples:

• I wish I had studied harder.
• If only I had passed the test.
• I wish we hadn’t wasted so much time.

This structure is extremely common in Cambridge exams.

Wish vs Hope (Very Important)

This section needs a small correction in your original post.

We use hope when something is possible.

• I hope it isn’t windy tomorrow.
• I hope you pass the test.
• We hope you have a pleasant trip.

We use wish when something is unlikely or impossible.

• I wish it weren’t raining. (But it is.)
• I wish I had more money. (But I don’t.)

Your example:

❌ I wish it weren’t windy tomorrow

This is not fully wrong — but it suggests the speaker thinks wind tomorrow is very likely or unavoidable.

So the difference is about possibility, not just grammar.

If Only vs Wish

They are interchangeable in grammar, but:

• If only is more emotional.
• It often sounds stronger or more dramatic.

Compare:

• I wish I were taller.
• If only I were taller!

The second sounds more intense.

Common Exam Mistakes

❌ I wish I would be taller.

❌ I wish I studied harder.

❌ I wish I will pass the test.

Correct forms:

✅ I wish I were taller.

✅ I wish I had studied harder.

✅ I hope I pass the test.

Final Thoughts

To summarise:

wish + past simple	regret about present
wish + past continuous	different present action
wish + would	annoyance / future change
wish + past perfect	regret about past
hope + present	real future possibility

This topic is highly testable and very useful in advanced writing — especially when expressing reflection, regret, or hypothetical thinking.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge 🙂

FAQ 

What tense do we use after wish?

We use past forms after a wish to express unreal situations. For example: I wish I were taller.

Can we use wish for the future?

Yes, we use wish + would to express annoyance or a desire for change in the future.

What is the difference between wish and hope?

We use hope for real possibilities and wish for unlikely or impossible situations.

Wish and Regrets in English – Practice Worksheet in PDF

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