Wish / If Only Worksheet For Cambridge English (FCE)
Wish + past simple is used to express regret about the present or future.
- I wish I was taller.
- I wish I could speak English.
Wish / if only + past perfect is used to express regret about the past.
- I wish I had consulted the doctor earlier.
- I wish I had listened to his advice.
- If only I had studied harder.
Wish / If only + could shows regret about lack of ability.
- I wish I could fly.
- She wishes she could make apps.
- If only I could make apps.
Wish/ If only + would is used to express annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present situation.
- I wish you would stop taking.
- I wish they would leave soon.
Fill in the blanks.
1. I wish I …………………… see my parents more often. (could / would)
2. I wish I ……………………. more money. (have / had / had had)
3. I wish I ………………………. better. (look / looked / had looked)
4. I wish I ………………………… those books last year. (didn’t sell / hadn’t sold / couldn’t sell)
5. I wish you …………………………. stop drinking. (could / would / might)
6. If only I …………………………. to him. (listen / listened / had listened)
7. I wish it …………………………. raining soon. (will stop / would stop / could stop)
8. I wish I …………………………….. earlier. (was told / have been told / had been told)
9. I wish you …………………………. behaving. (will start / would start / could start)
10. If only I ………………………….. harder. (worked / had worked)
11. I wish they ………………………….. longer. (will stay / would stay / could stay)
12. I wish they ………………………… so soon. (won’t leave / wouldn’t leave / couldn’t leave)
Answers
1. I wish I could see my parents more often.
2. I wish I had more money.
3. I wish I looked better.
4. I wish I hadn’t sold those books last year.
5. I wish you would stop drinking.
6. If only I had listened to him.
7. I wish it would stop raining soon.
8. I wish I had been told earlier.
9. I wish you would start behaving. (Annoyance)
10. If only I had worked harder. (Regret about past)
11. I wish they would stay longer.
12. I wish they wouldn’t leave so soon.
