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11.7 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]

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 NIGEL: No! 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: Mark the sentences that refer to 'present' or 'past' as past or pr:

1 I wish I had a better watch! Pr. 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!

11.7B Expressing wishes and regrets with 'I wish' and 'if only' [>LEG 11.41-42.1-3]

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 fit I wish/If only I was/were fit (fitter) 2 It's very hot today 3 It's raining 4 You were too impatient 5 You wasted a lot of time watching TV 6 They don't have a lot of friends 7 We didn't lock the backdoor! 8 He is abroad 9 Jane has read your letter 10 John didn't take your advice

11.7C 'Would' and 'could' after 'I wish' and 'if only' [>LEG 11.42.4]

1 We must use could, not would, after I and we. Compare: I can't swim. > I wish I could swim. We weren't together. > I wish we could have been together.

2 We sometimes use I wish you (he, she, etc.) would(n't) like an imperative: (I am making a lot of noise. I wish you wouldn't make so much noise! (He is making a lot of noise!) I wish he would be quiet!

Write: Supply would, wouldn't or could.

1 I wish they would be quiet. 2 We wish you … drive so fast. 3 We wish we … come to London with you. 4 I wish I … have seen the film with them. 5 We really wish she … change her mind and come on holiday with us. 6 If only we … have good weather like this the whole year.

11.7D 'It's (high) time' and 'It's (about) time' [> LEG 11 41,11 43]

We use It's time, It's high time and It's about time to express present or future wishes, or to express our impatience about things that haven't happened yet: Kim can't even boil an egg. I know.> It's time/high time/about time she learnt to cook!

Write: Respond to these sentences with It's high time or It's about time.

1 John and Julie have been engaged now for over ten years. It’s high time they got married. 2 We haven't been out for an evening together for ages, have we? 3 It's very late. You should both really go now. 4 The boys' room is terribly untidy.

11.7E Context. Put in the right forms for the words in brackets. HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME! WISH YOU WERE HERE!

While trying to sail round the world in a small boat, Harry, Sandy and Joe were shipwrecked one night. 'I wish there (be) 1 was/were an island nearby,' Harry said'. By morning, they were washed up on to a desert island. For six months they lived on fish, nuts and fruit. One day, they saw a bottle on the shore. 'If only it (contain)2 … a note or something!' Sandy said. They opened it and a genie appeared. 'It's high time someone (open)3… that bottle!' the genie gasped. 'I'm so grateful, I'll give you one wish each. You first,' the genie said, pointing to Harry. 'That's easy,' Harry said. 'I wish I (be)4 … with my family.' And (whoosh!) he disappeared. 'Me too,' Sandy said. 'If only I (can be) 5… in dear old Glasgow.' And (whoosh!) off he went. 'And you, sir?' I wish I could have my friends back'1.

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