Tenses with I wish If only, expressing regrets

1. UPPER INTERMEDIATE

2. WISH+ past simple
 Things we would like to be different in the present
(they are impossible or unlikely)
Ex.: I wish (that) I were (more formal)/was rich.
I wish I could speak English fluently.

3. WISH+WOULD/WOULDN’T
 Things we want to happen or to stop happening
because we find them annoying. Used only for actions
and never about yourself:
Ex.: I wish our neighbours would stop making noise.
I wish the students would do the homework every day.

4. WISH+past perfect
 For REGRETS: Things that happened in the past that
we regret now.
Ex.: I wish I had listened to the teacher and had done
the homework every day.

5. IF ONLY
 It can be used instead of I wish (a bit more emphatic
and intense):
Ex.: If only I had lots of money
If only I had listened to the teacher and had done the
homework.