1. Alice didn't get a good grade. She wishes she __________ (work) harder.

2. Tom likes football very much. He wishes he __________ (become) a professional football
player.
3. He was running very fast when he had a heart attack. If only he __________ (not/run) so
fast.
4. She's keen on computers. She wishes she __________ (study) computer science next
school year.
5. I am sorry I dont know how to use the computer. If only I __________ (know) how to
use it.
6. I stayed late at work and missed the last bus. I wish I __________ (stay) at work late
7. I wish I __________ (talk) to him yesterday.
8. I need help badly. If only you _________ (can) help me.
9. My old car often breaks down. I wish I __________ (buy) a new car.
10. He didn't pass the exam. If only he __________ (work) hard.
11. She was absent. I wish she __________ (attend) the conference.
12. What a beautiful house! I wish I __________ (have) a house like this one.
13. I wish I __________(be) rich. I would buy a farm and enjoy the calm of the countryside.
14. They had that bad accident because they were careless. If only they __________ (be) more
careful.
15. We saw the film. I wish you __________ (see) it with us. It was an amazing evening.
16. I like traveling around the world. If only I (have) time to realize my dream.
17. Bruce wishes he __________ (have) more money so he could buy a new sweater.
18. I wish I __________ (be) taller so that I could be in the basketball team.
19. I wish you __________ (stop) watching television while I am talking to you.
20.I wish you __________ (do) that. It annoys me.
21. I wish the holidays __________ (come) so we could go off to the seaside.
22. Of course Tom wishes he __________ (come) with us to Paris, but he has to stay here.
23. I wish we __________ (go) to the match on Saturday but we're visiting my uncle.
24. I wish you __________ (keep) your mouth shut yesterday. Now Mary knows
25. If only I __________ (lose) all my money. Now I'm broke.
26. Peter is always late. If only he __________ (turn up) on time for a change!
27. I wish we __________ (not have) a test today.
28. I wish these exercises __________ (not be) so difficult.
29. I wish we __________ (live) near the beach.
30.Do you ever wish you __________ (can travel) more?
31. I wish I __________ (be) better at maths.
32. I wish we __________ (not have to) wear a school uniform.
33. Sometimes I wish I __________ (can fly).
34. I wish we __________ (can go) to Disney World.
35. I'm so tired. I wish I __________ to bed earlier. (go)
36. I feel sick. I wish I __________ all those chocolates. (not eat)
37. My boyfriend's still at the office. I wish he _________ such long hours. (work)

38.I'm really busy. If only I __________ more time. (have)

39. I can't speak any languages. I wish I _________ German. (speak)
40.My hair looks terrible! If only I __________ it red. (dye)

1. Wish + Simple Past

We use wish + simple past to express that we want a situation in the present (or future) to
be different.
Examples:
I wish I lived in Spain Right now this person does not live in Spain but would like to in the
present.
He wishes he had a Lambourghini Right now this person does not have a Lambourghini but
want one in the present.
They wish it was June Right now its May and they still have to wait a month to go on
holiday in the future.
2. Wish + Past Continuous
We use wish + past continuous to express that we want to be doing a different activity in
the present (or the future).
Examples:
I wish I was eating Spanish food in Barcelona Right now this person is in the office, they
would like to be in Spain, eating tapas, in the present.
He wishes he was driving a Lambourghini in Paris Right now this person is also in an

office, they want to be driving, in the present.

They wish they were leaving tomorrow to go on holiday They arent going on holiday, in
the future, but would like to.
3. Wish + Past Perfect
We use wish + past perfect to express regret. This means we want to be able to change a
situation in the past.
Examples:
I wish I hadnt eaten so much chocolate This person ate too much chocolate, feels sick and
would like to go back to the past and change it.
He wishes his Dad had bought him a Lambourghini for his birthday This person would
have liked a car for his birthday, in the past.
They wish they had studied more for their exam They didnt study and now would like to go
back and study more.
4. Wish + Would
We use wish + would + infinitive to express dissatisfaction with the present situation.
Examples:
I wish you would stop making so much noise The person wants the other to stop making
noise.
He wishes his dog would behave The dog is barking and he wants it to stop.
We can also use wish to express want in a formal situation, for example, we can say I wish
to talk to the headmaster. We do this by saying wish + infinitive.

Finally, we can use subject + wish + someone as a fixed expression to congratulate them or
desire them well. For example: We wish you a Merry Christmas, My parents wish you a
Happy Birthday, I wish you good luck in your new job, She wishes her sister the best of
happiness