LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

11 Modal auxiliarles and related verbs11.7 Expressing wishes, etc.: 'I wish', 'if only', 'it's (high) time'11.7A Present and past reference with 'I wish', 'if only' and 'it's (high) time'[> LEG 11.41-43]Study:After (I) wish, if only, it's (high) time and it's (about) time, we 'go one tense back':1 The past tense refers to the present: I wish I had a better watch! (i.e. NOW)2 The past perfect tense refers to the past: if only you had asked me first! (i.e. THEN)Write:Tick the sentences that refer to 'present' or 'past'.1 I wish I had a better watch!2 If only I knew the answer to the problem!3 It's high time/about time he learnt more manners!4 I wish you hadn't done that!5 If only you had phoned me yesterday!presenti/past11.7B Expressing wishes and regrets with 'I wish' and 'if only' [> LEG 11.41-42.1 З]Study:1 We often use I wish for things that might (still) happen:I wish I knew the answer! (= it's possible I might find out the answer)If only is stronger. We use it to express regret for things that can (now) never happen:If only your mother were alive now! (Of course, I wish is also possible.)2 We may use the simple past of be after wish and if only, especially in everyday speech:I wish I was on holiday now. If only Tessa was here now!3 If we want to be more formal, we use were in all persons [> 11.13B, 14.2B]:I wish I were on holiday now. If only Tessa were here!4 We may use the past perfect of be for things that can never happen:I wish I had been on holiday last week. If only Tessa had been here yesterday!5 We use the past or past perfect forms of other verbs:I wish I knew the answer to your question. I wish I had known then what I know now!Write:Express wishes and regrets about these situations. Refer to yourself where possible.1 You're not very fit2 It's very hot today3 It's raining4 You were too impatient5 You wasted a lot of time watching TV6 They don't have a lot of friends7 We didn't lock the back door!8 He is abroad9 Jane has read your letter10 John didn't take your advice168