Wish and If Only

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Questions and Answers

Which sentence expresses a wish about the present that is impossible to fulfill?

  • I wish we lived in a bigger flat. (correct)
  • I wish we have lived in a bigger flat.
  • I wish we live in a bigger flat.
  • I wish we had lived in a bigger flat.

What is the language function of the sentence, 'I wish I could play football?'

  • Wishes about the present that are unlikely to happen (correct)
  • Wishes about the past that are unlikely to happen.
  • Past regret
  • Wishes about the present that are likely to happen

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'Ibrahim was right and I was wrong. I _______ I had listened to him.'

  • only
  • if
  • wish (correct)
  • if only

Which of the following sentences has a similar meaning to 'If only we lived in a bigger house.'?

<p>I wish we lived in a bigger house. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence is closest in meaning to 'I wish I had brought my coat'?

<p>If only I had brought my coat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

We aren't old enough to travel alone. If only we _______ older.

<p>were (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

I stayed late at work and missed the last bus. I wish I _______ late.

<p>hadn't stayed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hazem has a headache. Yesterday he stayed in the sun for a long time. If only he _______ in the sun so long.

<p>had not stayed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jordan needs to import a lot of oil. If only it _______ larger oil reserves.

<p>had had (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

My father doesn't drink much water. He wishes he _______ much water.

<p>drank (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Wish / If only (with past simple)

Expresses wishes or regrets about the present, or wishes about the present that are impossible or unlikely to happen.

Wish / If only (with past perfect)

Expresses wishes or regrets about the past.

If only

Means the same as 'wish' but is placed at the beginning of a sentence.

Wish

Placed between two subjects to express a wish or regret.

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Changing sentences to wish sentences

When converting from a regular sentence to a wish sentence, negate the affirmative and affirm the negative. Then convert the verb based on a table.

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Sentences with 'need to' transformations

When the sentence contains 'need to / I'd (like-love) to / dream to / Want to', remove them, and turn the verb that follows into the simple past (V2).

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Transformations with sentence connectors

When two sentences are connected by 'And, but, although, or even though', modify only the first part, then remove the second conjunction part.

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Transformations with connectors

When two sentences are present that contain the following linkig phrase 'Because, since, as', transform the second section and eliminate the first section which comes before the linking phrase.

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Dealing with 'regret' phrases.

If the sentence contains the term regret, take out what happened after the term, then convert the verb based on the table.

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Contrasting characteristics

In situations where the contrasting trait is provided (a negating and a positive are used simultaniously and so, too are found, then we eliminate them.

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Study Notes

  • Used for expressing wishes or regrets.
  • Wish and if only have the same meaning.
  • If Only starts the sentence and is followed by a subject.
  • Wish is between two subjects.

Wish/If Only Functions

  • Past simple expresses wishes or regrets about the present.
  • Past simple is used to express wishes about the present that are impossible or unlikely to happen.
  • Past perfect expresses wishes or regrets about the past.

Grammar Transformation Rules

  • Affirmative statements are negated and negative statements are affirmed when transforming sentences to express wishes.

  • The verb tense is adjusted in the "wish" sentence based on the tense of the original statement.

  • Present simple (V1) transforms into past simple (V2).

  • Don't/Doesn't + base verb transforms into V2.

  • Past simple (V2) transforms into past perfect (had + V3).

  • Didn't + base verb transforms into past perfect (had + V3).

  • Verb to be (is/am/are) transforms into were.

  • Isn't/am not/aren't transforms into weren't.

  • Was/were transforms into had been.

  • Wasn't/weren't transforms into hadn't been.

  • Can transforms into could.

  • Can't transforms into couldn't.

  • Will transforms into would.

  • Won't transforms into wouldn't.

  • Have to/ has to transforms into didn't have to.

  • Has/have transforms into didn't have.

  • Too/very transforms into so.

  • Much transforms into more.

  • Not(very) good at/ not(very) well transforms into better.

  • Couldn't transforms into had + V3.

  • (Wasn't/ weren't) able to transforms into had been able to.

  • Should transforms into should (the negation stays as it was; negation stays negation and affirmative stays affirmative).

  • Should + base verb transforms into had + V3.

  • Shouldn't + base verb transforms into hadn't + V3.

  • Phrases like "I am sorry," "It's a pity," or "Oh no" are removed when re-writing as wish statements.

Transformation scenarios

  • For sentences with "need to / I'd (like-love) to / dream to / Want to", remove these phrases and convert the following verb to the past simple (V2).
  • If two clauses are joined by "And, but, although, even though", then transform the first clause only, removing the conjunction and subsequent information.
  • If two clauses are in the sentence and connected by words like Because, since, or as the clause that starts with these words is removed and second part if the sentence is transformed.

Regret

  • If a regret is indicated by the word "regret", remove the word "regret" and transform the sentence as appropriate.
  • If there is a subject after the words then the main rules apply.
  • If "regret" is followed by a verb in the -ing form (Ving), convert the verb to the past perfect (hadn't + V3).

Additional notes

  • When the question contains "wish/if only", eliminate the present tense options.
  • When the opposite is stated as negative the answer stays negative, when the opposite is stated and it is affirmative, then the answer stays affirmative, also if so or too are the words then they are removed.

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