If only I could cook!

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Subjunctive III (I Wish, If only)

Advanced

After this lesson, you will be able to talk about wishes and regrets using the subjunctive mood.

Exercise 1

Sentence Practice

I wish I had a boyfriend.
I wish I had gone to your party.
If only I could speak English!
If only I had slept more!

Grammar Focus

I wish

'To wish' is to want something that is unlikely to happen. We use 'I wish' to talk about:

1. something we wish were different about our present situation: 'I wish' + (past tense sentence):

I wish I had a boyfriend. (= 'have' becomes 'had' in past tense)

2. a wish or regret about the past. The form is 'I wish' + (past perfect sentence):

I wish I had finished my homework. (= 'finish' becomes 'had finished' in past perfect)

If only

'If only' means the same thing as 'I wish' but is stronger. We use 'if only' to talk about:

1. A strong wish that things could be different. The form is: 'If only' + (past tense sentence)

If only I could speak English! (= 'can' becomes 'could' in past tense)

2. A strong wish or a regret about the past. The form is: 'If only' + (past perfect sentence).

If only I had brought my wallet! (= 'bring' becomes 'had brought' in past perfect)

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogues aloud with your tutor.

Music

Someone is playing piano. Jessica and Ling listen.
	Ling Ahh, it's so nice! If only I knew how to play piano.
	Jessica Yeah, I wish I knew how to play piano too.

Job Hunting

	Zach I wish I were Joe. He got a job last year, and doesn't have to worry about finding a job anymore.
	Andrei That must be so nice. If only I already had a job too.

Money

	Lauren I'm always running out of money. I wish I made more money.
	Alex Yeah, if only money grew on trees.
	Camille Or if only we won the lottery!

Exercise 3

Find the Mistakes

Find the mistakes in the following sentences and rephrase them so they are correct.

I wish I am married!

I wish I am at the concert now!

I wish I went to the concert yesterday.

If only I have a better internet connection.

Exercise 4

Sentence Building

Your friend is always complaining about his life. He either wishes his life were different or regrets not doing something! Help him express his wishes and regrets using If only and I wish.

Example

a pilot → "I wish I were a pilot."

a millionaire
a movie director
smarter
more good-looking
taller
have more free time
did not quit my last job