If only/ I wish

If only/ I wish
Forum > English only || Bottom

[POST A NEW REPLY] [Subscribe to this topic]

If only/ I wish
Message from siis posted on 26-04-2017 at 03:11:59 (D | E | F)
Hello everyone
please help me to understand the difference between if only and I wish.
How can we use wish about past,present and future?
Thanks for any reply.

-------------------
Edited by lucile83 on 26-04-2017 08:32

Re: If only/ I wish from gerondif, posted on 26-04-2017 at 11:52:57 (D | E)
Hello
An answer in the "would rather" post would answer your question about the use of I wish.
If only and I wish are roughly synonymous
If only expresses regret more easily.
I wish expresses hope more easily.

Re: If only/ I wish from soei, posted on 26-04-2017 at 16:16:03 (D | E)
Hello. For the difference between them the answer is given in previous reply. The use of wish for simple future : I wish I could visit her.
For simple present : I wish I was (were) a rich person.
For simple past : I wish I had studied my lessons.
Best regards

Re: If only/ I wish from gerondif, posted on 26-04-2017 at 17:40:48 (D | E)
Hello
When you say
I wish I would come, I wish I could visit her, you are using a conditional tense to express hope about the future.
I wish she came. I wish I were rich , you are using a subjunctive tense to express regret or hope about a present situation.
I wish she had come. I wish I had studied more, you are using a past-perfect tense to express regret about the past.

Re: If only/ I wish from siis, posted on 03-05-2017 at 07:48:45 (D | E)
Thank you in advance everybody for your effort!

[POST A NEW REPLY] [Subscribe to this topic]

Forum > English only