Wish, If Only and Regret

Wish is the structure English uses for dissatisfaction and regret, and it works by shifting the tense one step into the past relative to the time you are talking about.

Wishing about now: wish + past simple

I wish I had more time. (I don't) She wishes she spoke French. (she doesn't) I wish I were taller. (were for all persons, in careful English)

The past form does not mean past time here. It signals unreal.

Wishing about the past: wish + past perfect

This is regret about something that already happened.

I wish I had studied harder. (I didn't, and I regret it) He wishes he hadn't said that.

Wishing about someone else's behaviour: wish + would

Used for things that annoy you and that the other person could change.

I wish you would stop interrupting. I wish it would stop raining.

You cannot wish would about yourself: ❌ I wish I would be taller. ✅ I wish I were taller.

The reason: would implies willingness, and you cannot complain about your own willingness.

If only — the stronger version

If only works identically but carries more emotion.

If only I had known. If only he would listen.

Other regret structures

should have + participle — you did the wrong thing:

I should have asked first.

shouldn't have + participle:

You shouldn't have told her.

could have + participle — a missed possibility:

We could have caught the earlier train.

regret + -ing vs regret to + verb:

I regret telling him. (I told him; I wish I hadn't) I regret to inform you… (formal — I am about to give bad news)

Test yourself

The quiz below turns on which time you are wishing about.