I wish & if only
🤔Para hacer uso de estas expresiones deberemos usar "unreal past"
👉Tanto "I wish" como "if only" se usan en situaciones similares. Sin embargo, "if only" es más usado cuando queremos expresar que algo NO existe.
◼️I wish (if only) + past simple = regret about an unreal situation in the present.
✅ I wish they were here now.
◼️ I wish (if only) + past perfect = regret about the past
I wish she hadn't said that.
◼️ I wish (if only) + subject + would + infinitive verb = complain about something that is unlikely to change. Unwillingness, insistence.
✅ I wish they would lower that music. (It's probably not going to happen)
✅ If only it would stop raining like that.
✅ I wish I would go there (would is NOT used with the subject "I").
◼️ I wish (if only) + subject + could + infinitive verb = regret about a present or future situation when we don't have the ability to change it.
I✅ wish I could speak French.
◼️ Wish + infinitive = want to (formal)
✅ I wish to leave tomorrow.
◼️ Wish + pronoun/object + object = good wishes.
✅ I wish you all the best.
Compare with Hope: this verb is used instead of wish for wishes which are likely to happen.
I hope they accept your offer.