wish

1 We can use wish + infinitive to mean want. Wish is more formal.

• I wish to see the manager, please.

2 We can also use wish to express regrets — to say that we would like things to be different.
We use a past tense with a present meaning in this case.

I wish + subject + past tense

• I wish I was better-looking.
  


• I wish I spoke French.
  


• I wish I had a yacht.
  


• I wish it wasn't raining.
  

In a formal style, we can use were instead of was after I wish.

• I wish I were better-looking. (formal)

We can say I wish . . . would (but not I wish . . . will).

• I wish she would be quiet.


• I wish something interesting would happen.

To talk about the past, we use a past perfect tense (had + past participle).

I wish + subject + past perfect

• I wish I had gone to university.


• I wish I hadn't said that.

If only is used in the same way.

3 We do not use wish in progressive tenses.

• I wish I knew why. ( NOT I am wishing . . .)