Have you ever
regretted something?
Wishes and regrets
Wishes about We use would to make wishes about • I wish it would stop raining.
the future the future. Don´t use would to make a • I wish I could get a better job
wish about yourself- use could instead.
Wishes about We can use the past simple to make • I wish I had more time (= I
the present wishes about the present. We can also would like to have more time.)
make wishes about the present with • I wish I could speak French-
could + infinitive. it´s such a beautiful language
Wishes about We use the past perfect to make • I wish I hadn´t been so lazy at
the past wishes about the past. school. (I was lazy when I was
at school, and now I regret it.)
SHOULD HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLE
• We use should have+ past participle to
express regret about OUR own past
actions.
• Example:
It´s my fault, I should have locked the door.
• To talk about something that • I wish = If only
we see as realistic, possible or
likely in the future
• When making wishes about I/
• USE HE/ SHE/IT , we can use were
• HOPE instead of was. Were is
• DON´T USE preferred instead of was in
formal English.
• WISH
• Example:
• Example:
• If only it were that simple
• I hope she can come
I wish/ if only
1. I wish I could come to the zoo with you next weekend, but I’m
going to be busy.
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?
1. I wish could do that!
2. I wish you wouldn’t do that
3. I wish I were stronger
3. I’m sorry I made you angry. I wish I Hadn’t shouted at you.
4. Which sentence is correct?
1. I wish I were going to the beach with my friends.
2. I wish we live in a bigger house
3. I wish I’d not see you!
I wish/ If only
1. Your colleague talks a lot and you don’t like it. What could you say?
1. If only he is quiet!
2. If only he had been quiet!
3. If only he would be quiet!
2. What CANNOT go in the space? He’s really handsome! If only I ___
ten years younger!
1. Was
2. Were
3. Would be
I wish/ If only
1. Your computer isn’t working. What could you say?
1. If only this computer were working!
2. I wish this computer had worked!
3. If only this computer works
2. You want to go to Sally’s party, but you can’t. What can you say?
1. I wish I would go to your party.
2. I wish I went to your party.
3. I wish I could go to your party.
I wish/ If only
1. You saw a great cellphone on sale but you didn’t have enough
money. The next day, you go to the shop. It has been sold. What do
you say?
1. If only I’d had more money with me yesterday!
2. If only I had more money with me yesterday!
3. If only I would have more money with me yesterday!
2. Your friend keeps hitting you. What do you say?
1. I wish you’d stopped doing that!
2. I wish you stop doing that!
3. I wish you’d stop doing that!
Do you know anyone who has done any of these
things and regret them?
Actions Useful phrase
• Bought something
• I wish I HADN´T + V. pp
• Started a new degree
• Dropped out of a class
Wishes about the
past
Tell your partner something you wish you HAD in
the present, but you don´t
Topics USEFUL PHRASE
• I wish I + V. in simple past
• Time
• Money
• Knowledge about
• Love
• Studies
Tell your partner something you wish you WOULD
have in the future
Topics USEFUL PHRASES
• Time • I wish + I + could + Verb
• Money • I wish + (somebody else)+ would
+ Verb
• Knowledge about
• Love
• Studies
