How to use WISH and WOULD

How to use WISH or IF ONLY in English

Other than sending “Best wishes” to somebody we also use “wish” for talking about situations that we would like to be different.

For WISH and Past Simple look at this article  An example would be “I wish I were thinner”

How to use WISH with WOULD

structure: wish+person/thing+would +infinitive

I wish – the train – would – come

I wish the train would come. I’m going to be late for work

Why?

We use this structure to talk about things we want to happen or stop happening in the future (immediate future if possible!).

Usually they are things that annoy us, normally because we can’t control them.

– Situation 1: I am at the station, the train is late (again), I’ll probably arrive late for work. I am annoyed.

• I wish the train would come.

– Situation 2: My son leaves his dirty clothes on the floor almost every day. I am annoyed.

• I wish he wouldn’t leave his clothes on the floor.   (I don’t think he will)

– Situation 3: It’s raining. I planned to have a picnic. I am not happy.

• I wish it would stop raining.  (I can’t do anything about it)

IF ONLY as an alternative

We can substitute “if only for “wish” :

• If only the train would arrive
• If only he wouldn’t leave his clothes on the floor
• If only it would stop raining

If I had THREE wishes – what would you wish for yourself?

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