Syllabus topic 11: Wish / rather / if only / it's time
Wish / rather / if only / it's time. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret.
The idea
Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Structure & examples
I wish I had had more time yesterday.
I wish I knew the answer.
Notice the pattern
Use a past form after wish for a present situation you want to be different. Use the past perfect for a regret about a completed event. Wish + would often expresses annoyance or a desire for someone or something to change, rather than an unreal personal ability.
I wish I knew the truth.
If only we had booked earlier.
Important notes & common mistakes
A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Wish / rather / if only / it's time
Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
I wish I had listened more carefully.
I'd rather you came tomorrow.
It's time we made a decision.
If only she were here now.
I wish you would stop making that noise.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
I wish I ___ the answer now.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: knew
Completed sentence: I wish I knew the answer now. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
If only we ___ earlier yesterday.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: had left
Completed sentence: If only we had left earlier yesterday. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
I wish you ___ interrupting me.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: would stop
Completed sentence: I wish you would stop interrupting me. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
She wishes she ___ speak Japanese.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: could
Completed sentence: She wishes she could speak Japanese. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Question 1 of 50% complete
I wish I ___ more time yesterday.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had had
Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: knew
Completed sentence: I wish I knew the answer now. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had left
Completed sentence: If only we had left earlier yesterday. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would stop
Completed sentence: I wish you would stop interrupting me. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: could
Completed sentence: She wishes she could speak Japanese. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had
Completed sentence: Use have in the past simple: I wish I had more free time now. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had listened
Completed sentence: Use listen in the past perfect: I wish I had listened to your advice yesterday. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
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Correct answer: had not bought
Completed sentence: Use not buy in the past perfect, without contractions: If only I had not bought that broken car. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: could
Completed sentence: Use can in the past form: I wish I could join you tonight. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would stop
Completed sentence: Use stop with would: I wish the neighbours would stop making noise. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I wish I knew the answer
Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret. A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I wish I knew the truth
I wish I knew the truth. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret. A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: If only we had booked earlier
If only we had booked earlier. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret. A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She wishes she could sing
She wishes she could sing. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret. A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I wish you would listen
I wish you would listen. Use wish + past simple for an unreal present desire and wish + past perfect for a past regret. A past regret needs the past perfect after wish.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: listened
Completed sentence: I wish I had listened more carefully. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: came
Completed sentence: I'd rather you came tomorrow. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: made
Completed sentence: It's time we made a decision. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: were
Completed sentence: If only she were here now. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: would
Completed sentence: I wish you would stop making that noise. Wish/if only + past refers to unreal present situations; + past perfect refers to regret. Would rather + different subject uses past for present/future preference. It's time + past form expresses overdue action. Wish + would often targets a desired change in behaviour.
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