Sentences with 'I wish' and 'If only' Constructions: English ЕГЭ 2025 Preparation

The 'I wish' and 'If only' constructions are used to express wishes and regrets in English. These structures are important for the ЕГЭ English exam as they demonstrate your ability to express complex thoughts and emotions. Mastering these constructions will help you achieve a higher score in both the grammar and writing sections of the exam.

Theory for Exam Preparation

In English, 'I wish' and 'If only' are used to express wishes about the present, regrets about the past, or hopes for the future. These constructions require specific verb forms depending on the time reference, and understanding these patterns is essential for using them correctly.

Both 'I wish' and 'If only' express similar meanings, with 'If only' generally being more emphatic or expressing stronger emotion.

Wishes About the Present

Structure

To express wishes about the present (situations that are contrary to reality now), we use:

I wish / If only + subject + past simple / past continuous

Examples:

I wish I had more time to study. (But I don't have enough time now.)
If only she understood the problem. (But she doesn't understand it now.)
I wish it wasn't raining today. (But it is raining.)
If only we were having better weather. (But the weather is bad now.)

Important!

Note that we use past tense forms to talk about present situations. This is called the subjunctive mood in English.

Using 'could' for Present Ability

We can use 'could' after 'wish' and 'if only' to express wishes about present ability:

Examples:

I wish I could speak Japanese. (But I can't speak Japanese now.)
If only she could come to the party. (But she can't come.)

Regrets About the Past

Structure

To express regrets about the past (things that didn't happen or happened differently), we use:

I wish / If only + subject + past perfect

Examples:

I wish I had studied harder for the exam. (But I didn't study hard enough.)
If only we had left earlier. (But we didn't leave early.)
I wish she hadn't told him the secret. (But she did tell him.)
If only it hadn't rained during our vacation. (But it did rain.)

Using 'could have' for Past Ability or Possibility

We can use 'could have' after 'wish' and 'if only' to express regrets about past ability or missed opportunities:

Examples:

I wish I could have attended the conference. (But I wasn't able to attend.)
If only we could have helped them. (But we weren't able to help.)

Wishes About the Future

Structure

To express wishes about the future (things we want to happen but think are unlikely), we use:

I wish / If only + subject + would + base verb

Examples:

I wish it would stop raining. (I want the rain to stop in the future.)
If only they would agree to our proposal. (I want them to agree in the future.)
I wish she would reply to my message. (I want her to reply soon.)

Note!

We typically use 'would' to talk about future situations that we cannot control directly. It often expresses impatience, annoyance, or desire for change.

Restrictions on Using 'would'

We don't normally use 'would' when the subject of the main clause and the wish clause is the same person:

Incorrect: I wish I would study harder. ✗
Correct: I wish I studied harder. ✓

However, we can use 'would' with the same subject if we're talking about habits or repeated actions that we want to change:

I wish I wouldn't procrastinate so much. (I want to change my habit of procrastinating.)

Other Forms After 'I wish' and 'If only'

Using 'were' Instead of 'was'

In formal English, we often use 'were' instead of 'was' after 'I wish' and 'If only', even with singular subjects:

I wish I were taller. (More formal than "I wish I was taller.")
If only she were here. (More formal than "If only she was here.")

This is another example of the subjunctive mood in English. In the ЕГЭ exam, it's better to use 'were' in these constructions to demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency.

Using 'could' for Hypothetical Situations

We can use 'could' to express wishes about hypothetical abilities or possibilities:

I wish I could fly. (A hypothetical ability)
If only we could turn back time. (A hypothetical possibility)

Common Errors to Avoid

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I wish I have more time.	I wish I had more time.	Use past simple for present wishes, not present simple.
If only she will understand.	If only she would understand.	Use 'would' for future wishes, not 'will'.
I wish I would be taller.	I wish I were taller.	Don't use 'would' when the subject is the same in both clauses (except for habits).
If only I studied yesterday.	If only I had studied yesterday.	Use past perfect for past regrets, not past simple.
I wish that I can speak English fluently.	I wish (that) I could speak English fluently.	Use 'could' not 'can' for present wishes about ability.

Note on 'that':

The word 'that' is optional after 'wish' and is often omitted in spoken English:

I wish (that) I had more free time.

If only (that) the weather were better.

Other Expressions for Wishes and Regrets

Besides 'I wish' and 'If only', there are other expressions used to express wishes and regrets:

Would rather/sooner: I would rather you came tomorrow. (preference)
It's time: It's time we left. (suggestion that something should happen now)
If: If only I had listened to you. = I wish I had listened to you. (regret)
Should have: I should have studied harder. (regret about not doing something)

Practice Examples

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

I wish I ________ (know) the answer to that question.
If only it ________ (not/rain) on our wedding day last year.
She wishes she ________ (can) play the piano.
I wish my neighbor ________ (stop) making so much noise at night.
If only I ________ (study) harder for my exams last semester.

Answers:

1. I wish I knew the answer to that question. (present wish - past simple)

2. If only it hadn't rained on our wedding day last year. (past regret - past perfect)

3. She wishes she could play the piano. (present wish about ability - could)

4. I wish my neighbor would stop making so much noise at night. (future wish about someone else - would)

5. If only I had studied harder for my exams last semester. (past regret - past perfect)

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

I wish I will have more free time tomorrow.
If only she has told me the truth yesterday.
He wishes he would be taller.
I wish I can speak Chinese fluently.
If only we didn't miss the train last night.

Corrections:

1. I wish I had more free time tomorrow. (or: I wish I would have more free time tomorrow.)

2. If only she had told me the truth yesterday.

3. He wishes he were taller. (Don't use 'would' when the subject is the same in both clauses)

4. I wish I could speak Chinese fluently.

5. If only we hadn't missed the train last night.

Key Points to Remember

Use past simple/continuous for wishes about the present
Use past perfect for regrets about the past
Use 'would + base verb' for wishes about the future (typically for things we cannot control directly)
Use 'could' for wishes about ability in the present
Use 'could have' for regrets about ability in the past
In formal English, use 'were' instead of 'was' after 'I wish' and 'If only'
Don't use 'would' when the subject of both clauses is the same (except for habits)

Exam Tip!

In the ЕГЭ English exam, pay special attention to the time reference (present, past, or future) in 'wish' and 'if only' constructions, as this determines the verb form you should use. Remember that we use past forms to talk about the present, past perfect forms to talk about the past, and 'would' to talk about the future.