Wish, If Only & It’s Time
To express regrets, wishes and complaints, English uses past tenses with present or unreal meaning after wish, if only, it's time, and would rather. The tense shifts “one step back”…
To express regrets, wishes and complaints, English uses past tenses with present or unreal meaning after wish, if only, it’s time, and would rather. The tense shifts “one step back” even though the meaning is now or general.
wish / if only
| Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| regret about the present | wish + past simple | I wish I knew the answer. |
| regret about the past | wish + past perfect | I wish I had studied harder. |
| annoyance / wanting change | wish + would | I wish you would stop shouting. |
wish + would: only for others’ behaviourUse wish + would to complain about something annoying that someone (or something) keeps doing, and that you want changed: “I wish it would stop raining.” You can’t normally use it about yourself — ✗ “I wish I would be taller.” For your own present situation, use the past simple: “I wish I were taller.”
it’s time & would rather
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| it’s (high/about) time + past simple | It’s time we left. |
| would rather + past simple (other person) | I’d rather you didn’t smoke. |
Examples from EduCareer
- Aisha wishes she had joined the course sooner.
- It’s time you started revising for the exam.
- I’d rather you spoke English in class.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersThe past tense here does not mean past time — it signals “unreal/imaginary.” “I wish I had a car” is about now. After wish and if only for the present, “were” is used for all subjects: “I wish I were there.”
Common mistakes
- I wish I know the answer. → I wish I knew the answer.
- I wish I would be taller. → I wish I were taller.
- It’s time we leave. → It’s time we left.
Practise with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."I wish I ___ the answer." (now)
present regret → wish + past simple.
2."I wish I ___ harder for the test." (past)
past regret → wish + past perfect.
3."I wish you ___ shouting." (annoyance)
annoying behaviour → wish + would.
4."It's time we ___."
it's time + past simple.
5."I'd rather you ___ smoke in here."
would rather + past simple (other person).
6.The past tense after 'wish' (present) means:
unreal present.
7.Which is correct?
own present state → were.
8."If only I ___ listened to your advice!" (past)
past regret → past perfect.
9.Which is correct?
it's time + past simple.
10."I wish it ___ raining; I want to go out."
wanting change → wish + would.
11."She wishes she ___ a bigger flat." (now)
present wish → past simple.
12."If only we ___ booked earlier!" (past)
past regret → had + pp.
13."It's high time you ___ a decision."
it's high time + past simple.
14."I'd rather we ___ in for dinner tonight."
would rather + subject + past simple.
15."I wish I ___ go to the party last night." (couldn't, regret)
past ability regret → had been able to.
16."He wishes he ___ so rude yesterday."
past regret → hadn't been.
17."I wish you ___ tell me these things sooner." (complaint)
annoyance → wish + would.
18."It's about time the bus ___."
it's about time + past simple.
19."I wish I ___ taller — I can't reach the shelf."
present unreal → were.
20."I'd rather you ___ that again." (request now)
would rather + past simple.
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