Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #100 of 305

Wish and If Only (Past)

wish + past perfect for past regrets.

Examples

  • I wish I had listened.

Key rules

  • Use wish + past perfect for regrets about the past
  • Form: I wish I had + past participle
  • Use wish + could have for missed abilities or chances
  • If only has the same meaning but is stronger

Common mistakes

  • I wish I studied harder → I wish I had studied harder
  • I wish I didn't go there → I wish I hadn't gone there
💡 Tip: Past wish equals regret: it is too late to change it.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← Wish and If Only (Present)Passive Voice: Present and Past →

Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.