16. Sometimes Dick thinks his wife is not an ideal wife. He has some wishes, preferences and regrets about her. What does he say?

e. g.: She speaks in a loud voice. – I’d rather she didn’t.

1. My wife was late for work yesterday. – I wish ___________________.

2. Emma told a lie to her boss. – If only __________________.

3. My wife was at the hairdresser’s. – I wish ____________________.

4. She has her hair cut really short. – I’d rather ____________________.

5. In the evening she was at the party and ate too much. – I wish __________.

6. She is rather careless. – I wish ___________________.

7. I want her to settle down. – It’s time _____________________.

8. I want her to get a decent work. – It’s about time ______________________.

9. She smokes much. – If only ___________________.

10. I don’t want her to drive so fast. – I’d rather __________________.

11. She spends much time with my brother. – I wish _________________.

12. She can’t make cakes. It’s about time ______________________.

17. Below you have a list of regrets and desires of a woman who wastes her life on wasteful wishes. Write down what she is going to bore all her friends with this week. Begin with I wish, Oh if, I’d rather, It’s time, But for, If, etc.

e. g.: She isn’t happy that it’s not a real diamond in her ring. – I wish I had a real diamond in my ring.

She complains they had to stay at a bad hotel as her husband didn’t want to drive a few more kilometres. – If my husband had driven a few more kilometres we would have found a better hotel.

1. She is sorry that she didn’t marry Paul and go to Mexico with him. 2. She is sorry she sold her car and her wish is to buy a new one. 3. She regrets having moved to the country. 4. She would like her husband to stop whistling through his teeth. 5. She has a pug – dog but her desire is to have a Newfoundland. 6. Her wish is to sing and to do something creative. 7. She is very sorry she spent so much money on her new coat.

8. She regrets having gone to the restaurant yesterday. 9. They had no octopus that day.

10. Her husband wants to hang the new picture in the study, but she prefers to see it in the hall. 11. She thinks her husband has worked long enough to get a rise.

“As if” Clauses

18. Open the brackets using the correct form of the Oblique Mood.

1. His manner was cheerful as ever as if nothing (happen).2. He asked me funny questions, it was as if he(not follow)the story. 3. He didn’t pay attention to her cutting remarks as though he(be used)to being treated like that. 4. She walked proudly as though the world(belong) to her. 5. She looked as though she(hurt)by his remark. 6. The line between his eyes deepened as if he(puzzle)over something. 7. They looked as if they(be)brother and sister but not husband and wife, so much alike they were. 8. She was crying as if her heart(break). 9. They treated her as if she(be)a little girl. 10. They met him as if they(expect)him. 11. He introduced her to his brother as though they(not meet)before. 12. I felt funny as if I(start)crying at any moment. 13. She sounded quite cheerful over the telephone as if she(look)forward to the trip. 14. The house looked as though it(not see)paint for a long time. 15. She was listening to me as if she(annoy).