Present wishes: wish and if only · B1. Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality.
Complete 12 original tasks. Use the situation to choose the intended meaning, practise the form, then apply it in a fresh context.
Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality.
I wish the apartment were quieter.Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have.
I wish I could swim.Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact.
I wish he would stop slamming the gate.
The apartment is noisy now; I want the opposite present situation.
Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality.
I wish the apartment were quieter.Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have.
I wish I could swim.Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact.
I wish he would stop slamming the gate.Keep the first try. Understand the change. Check it in a fresh situation.
No practice notes yet. Try a short warm-up.
Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality.
I wish the apartment were quieter.Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have.
I wish I could swim.Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact.
I wish he would stop slamming the gate.Opening an answer records help for that question.
The apartment is noisy now; I want the opposite present situation.
Look at “I wish the apartment ___ quieter.”. Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality. Complete sentence: “I wish the apartment were quieter.”.
I cannot join because I lack the ability to swim.
Look at “I wish I ___ swim.”. Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have. Complete sentence: “I wish I could swim.”.
My neighbour repeatedly slams the gate; I want the behaviour to change.
Look at “I wish he ___ slamming the gate.”. Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact. Complete sentence: “I wish he would stop slamming the gate.”.
Our kitchen is too small now.
Look at “If only our kitchen ___ larger.”. Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality. Complete sentence: “If only our kitchen were larger.”.
Use a past-form ability modal with understand to express a missing present ability.
Complete sentence: “I wish I could understand the announcements.” Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The council keeps ignoring letters; this is an appeal for changed behaviour.
Look at “I wish the council ___ our letters.”. Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact. Complete sentence: “I wish the council would answer our letters.”.
Use the past simple of have for dissatisfaction with the present.
Complete sentence: “I wish we had more storage space.” Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The office is far from the station now.
Look at “If only the office ___ nearer the station.”. Use wish/if only + past simple to express dissatisfaction with a present situation; the past form expresses distance from reality. Complete sentence: “If only the office were nearer the station.”.
Use a past-form ability modal with afford for a possibility unavailable now.
Complete sentence: “I wish I could afford a quieter flat.” Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The printer repeatedly jams; I am complaining about its behaviour.
Look at “I wish this printer ___ properly.”. Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact. Complete sentence: “I wish this printer would work properly.”.
The speaker lacks enough time for the trip now.
Look at “I wish I ___ take a week off.”. Use wish + could + base verb to express a desired present ability or possibility that the speaker does not have. Complete sentence: “I wish I could take a week off.”.
Use a would-clause with stop for an irritating repeated action by someone else.
Complete sentence: “I wish the driver would stop checking his phone at traffic lights.” Use wish + would + base verb to express a desired change in someone else’s repeated behaviour, not a neutral fact. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.