[HI/Grammer] Wishes and Regrets

• express our strong desire for something to be different from how it actually is
• express regret for past actions

	Wishes about the present & future	Wishes and regrets about the past -> impossible to change the situation we are talking about	Expressing annoyance or impatience in the present
If only	If only I had more money = I don't have a lot of money	If only we had bought the house then = Unfortunately, we didn't buy the house	If only she would be quiet = I'd like her to stop talking because i find it annoying
I wish	I wish I was/were good at math = I'm not good at math but I would like to be	I wish I had studied harder when I was in school. = I didn't study hard and now I think it was a mistake not to	I wish you would stop shouting = I really want you to stop shouting because it's making me angry

 

Examples

• I am very good at playing piano, but terrible at siging.
  • If only I were good at singing.
• My brother did not pass the driving test. He is very upset.
  • If only he had passes the driving test.
• I want to get a new guitar, but I spent all of my savings.
  • If only I had not spent all of my savings.
• It's too bad that I can't go to the concert with you.
  • I wish I could go to the concert with you.