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Wish and If Only – Worksheet 1

B2 Upper-intermediate WorksheetEnglish

This B2 worksheet practises wish and if only to talk about present situations, past regrets and things we want to change. Learners use the past simple, past perfect, could and would after wish. It suits upper-intermediate classes and self-study.

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37
Time
35 min
PDF
5 pages
Answer key
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New to this topic? Read the guide first: Wish and If Only: Rules, Examples and Common Mistakes

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Exercise 1: Complete the sentences

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form. Think about whether the wish is about the present, the past or an annoying habit.

Example: I wish I ___ (be) on holiday right now. → were

  1. I wish I (have) more free time, but I work six days a week.

  2. If only we (not/miss) the train yesterday. We would have arrived on time.

  3. I wish my neighbours (stop) playing loud music every night.

  4. Sara wishes she (can) speak Japanese.

  5. I wish I (be) taller.

  6. If only I (listen) to your advice last year.

  7. Do you ever wish you (live) in a different country?

  8. I wish I (not/eat) so much cake at the party last night. I feel sick.

Exercise 2: Use the words in the box

Complete each sentence with one word from the box. Use each word once. There are two extra words.

Word box wouldhadcouldhadn'twouldn'tknewdidn'twerewillcan

  1. I wish you stop interrupting me when I'm talking.

  2. If only I a car. I hate taking the bus.

  3. I wish I come to your party tomorrow, but I'm working.

  4. She wishes she said those unkind things to her brother.

  5. I wish my brother keep borrowing my clothes without asking!

  6. If only I how to fix this laptop.

  7. I wish I have to get up so early on Mondays.

  8. I wish the weather warmer today.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite each sentence using the words in brackets so that the meaning stays the same.

Example: I can't drive. (I wish) → I wish I could drive.

  1. I don't have enough money to buy a new phone. (I wish)

  2. I didn't study for the exam. (If only)

  3. My sister always leaves the door open. It's annoying. (I wish)

  4. I can't swim. (I wish)

  5. We went to that restaurant and the food was terrible. (I wish … hadn't)

  6. Tom isn't here to help us. (If only)

  7. It's a pity you won't tell me the truth. (I wish)

  8. I'm sorry I didn't call you on your birthday. (I wish)

Exercise 4: Find and correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

Example: I wish I can fly. → I wish I could fly.

  1. I wish I have a bigger flat.

  2. If only I didn't spend all my money last weekend.

  3. I wish I would be better at maths.

  4. She wishes she can play the guitar.

  5. I wish you will stop complaining.

  6. Do you wish you have studied medicine instead?

  7. If only I knew about the meeting yesterday.

Exercise 5: Put the words in order

Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

Example: wish / I / could / I / sing → I wish I could sing.

  1. wish / I / I / lived / the / closer / to / city / centre

  2. only / If / hadn't / I / my / lost / keys

  3. I / you / wish / wouldn't / drive / so / fast

  4. she / Does / wish / were / she / older / ?

  5. had / If / only / we / earlier / left

  6. I / could / wish / I / my / grandparents / visit / more / often

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About this test

B2 English worksheet on wish and if only: present wishes, past regrets, would for annoyance and could for ability, with answers.

Topics covered

wish + past simplewish + past perfectwish + wouldwish + couldif only

Notes for teachers

Start by eliciting three timelines on the board: present (wish + past simple/could), past (wish + past perfect) and annoying habits (wish + would). Common mistakes include using present tenses after wish, using would with the subject I (I wish I would…), and using the past simple instead of the past perfect for past regrets. Point out that both were and was are accepted after I/he/she, but were is more formal. As a follow-up, ask learners to write five personal wishes and regrets, then share them in pairs.

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