6-3 Expressing Wishes

When we want to express things that we would like to be different from reality but which are impossible or very unlikely, we use the verb ‘wish’ or the phrase ‘if only’.

Usually, the verb ‘wish’ is followed by a noun clause (covered in Unit 10) like in the example above. As with all that- noun clauses, the ‘that’ is optional and is usually dropped in speech and informal writing.

Because we use ‘wish’ to express something that we want to be different from reality, we are talking about something that is imaginary or hypothetical (not real/true). Therefore, we have to use past tenses in the noun clauses. As with conditionals, the specific past tense we use depends on the time we are talking about.

To express wishes for the present, we use the past simple.

Like with the second conditional, we can use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ when the subject is ‘I’, ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘it’.

We can also use ‘could’ (the past form of can) when talking about ability or possibility.

To express wishes for the past, we use the past perfect simple. This structure expresses regret or annoyance about something that has or hasn’t already happened.

We can also use ‘could have’ when talking about ability or possibility in the past.

To express wishes for the future, we usually use ‘could’ or the past form of ‘have to’.

We can also backshift future forms that express plans, intentions, or arrangements.

Often, we include a future time reference to show that we are talking about the future, but sometimes the future time reference is implied.

We use ‘would’ to express a wish about something that we would like someone or something (not) to do. This structure expresses annoyance, impatience, or dissatisfaction and can be used to criticize someone or something. Usually, this refers to the immediate future but can also refer to the present. We cannot use ‘would’ to talk about the past.

‘If only’ has the same meaning as ‘wish’, but it is stronger. We can use it instead of ‘wish’ to emphasize that our wish is especially important. ‘If only’ is an adverbial phrase, so we never use ‘that’. We usually stress the ‘only’ when speaking.

Notice that unlike ‘if’ in conditional sentences, we usually use ‘if only’ with just one clause. Sometimes we explain why we have such a strong wish in another sentence, but sometimes this is implied or already understood by the person we are talking to.