Use wish or if only plus the past simple to express a wish about a present situation you would like to be different, as in I wish I had more time. With the verb be, use were for every subject after wish, as in I wish I were taller.
Grammar Rule
Wish/if only + past simple expresses a wish about a present situation we’d like to be different; use were after wish for all subjects.
Wish / If Only (Present): Rules and Examples
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| wish / if only + past simple | wish about the present | I wish I had more time. If only I knew the answer. |
| wish + were (all subjects, with be) | present wish with be | I wish I were taller. |
Remember: wish/if only + past simple for present wishes, and use were after wish for all subjects.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using wish or if only correctly for present wishes. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Wish and If Only – Present
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you form a present wish with wish or if only?
Use wish or if only plus the past simple, as in I wish I had more time or if only I knew the answer.
What form of be do you use after wish for a present wish?
Use were for every subject, as in I wish I were taller.
What does a present wish with wish or if only express?
It expresses a desire for a present situation to be different from how it actually is right now.
Is this the same structure as the second conditional?
Yes, both use the past simple to talk about an unreal present situation, though wish/if only expresses a wish rather than a full if-then structure.