B2Conditionals and unreal meaning

Wish, rather, if only and it's time

Use remote past forms and perfect forms to express present dissatisfaction, past regret, preference, criticism and overdue action.

Overview

What this grammar does

Use remote past forms and perfect forms to express present dissatisfaction, past regret, preference, criticism and overdue action.

Form and rules

How it works

Wish/if only + past simple expresses an unreal present situation; + past perfect expresses past regret.

Wish + would can criticize repeated behavior or request a change outside the speaker's direct control.

Would rather + base verb expresses your own preference; would rather + different subject + past form expresses a preference about another person's action.

It's time + subject + past simple means an action should already happen; It's time to + infinitive is more neutral.

Could after wish/if only can express desired ability or possibility.

A closer look

Meaning and use

It's time + subject + past simple means an action should already happen; It's time to + infinitive is more neutral.

Could after wish/if only can express desired ability or possibility.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I wish I knew the answer.

If only I'd backed up the file.

I wish he'd stop interrupting.

I'd rather you came tomorrow.

It's time we made a decision.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

I wish I am more confident in presentations.

I wish I were more confident in presentations.

Present dissatisfaction uses a past form.

If only we read now the contract more carefully.

If only we had read the contract more carefully.

Past regret uses past perfect.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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