Wishes

If only

It's time

Explanationsr Wishes about the present

For wishes about the present we use I wish + the past simple. The timereferred to is an imaginary present.

I wish I knew the answer to this question. (I do not know the answer.)I wish I didn't have so much work to do. (I do have a lot of work.)

r Wishes about the past

For wishes about the past we use I wish + the past perfect. The time referredto is past time.

I wish I had gone to your party last week. (I did not go.)

r Wishes about the futureWe can use could to refer to a future event.

I wish lune could meet me next week.

We also use could to refer to something that is generally difficult orimpossible.

I wish I could drive.I wish I could contact him, but I don't have my mobile phone with me.

We can also use have to to refer to a future event.I wish I didn't have to get up early tomorrow.

r Wishes tsing would

When we want to complain about a bad habit we use I wish + would.I wish Peter wouldn't chew gum all the time.

we also use I wish + would to refer to something that we would like tohappen.

I wish the police would do something about these people!

We can replace I wish with If only for emphasis.If only I knew the answer to this question!

If only I had gone to your party last week!

In speech, only is often heavily stressed.

I The construction it's time l/you/we... is followed by a past tense.Sorry, but it's time we went home.

The meaning here is similar to a second conditional.If we went home, it would be better.

High can be added for extra emphasis.It's high time you learned to look afrer yourself!

t lt's time can also be used with the infinitive. The meaning changes slightly.It's time you started work! (you are beinglazy and not working)It's time to start work. (a simple statement of fact)

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FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence.

a) I wish Peter doesn't live/didn'rJae/wouldn't live so far away from the towncentre. We'll have to take a taxi.

b) I feel rather cold. I wish I brought/had brought my pullover with me.c) what a pity. I wish we don't hqve to/didn't have to/wouldn't have to leave.d) I wish yolu tell/told/had told me about the test. I haven't done any revision.e) I wish the people next door hadn't made/wouldn,t make/couldn't make so much

noise. I can't hear myself think!f) Darling, I love you so much! I wish we are/had been/would be/could be

together alwayslg) I'm sorry I missed your birthday party.I really wish I come/came/had

come/would come.

h) I like my new boss but I wish she gave/would give/could give me some moreresponsibility.

D Having a lovely time in Brighton. I wish you are/were/had been herc.j) This car was a complete waste of money. I wish I didn't buy/hadn,t bought it.

Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

a) This train journey seems endless! I wish we (go) ...hAd..SA.yj&................. bycar.

b) I wish I (have) the money to buy some new clothes,but I can't afford any at the moment.

c) I wish the government (do) something about thepollution in the city.

d) I'm getting really soaked! I wish I (not forget) ............... .... myumbrella.

e) I wish you (not do) ............ ....... that! It,s a really annoying habit.

0 That was a lovely meal, but I wish I (not eat) ................... so

much.

g) I wish I (study) harder for my exams. I,m not goingto pass.

h) I wish you (not leave) your dirty shoes in yourbedroom!

i) I'm afraid I have no idea where Diana has gone. I wish I (know)

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FIRST CERTIFICATE TANGUAGE PRACTICE

5 Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

a) What can we do to get in touch with Robert? If only we (know)

..........bP.W. his phone number.

b) Come on children! It's time you (be) in bed.

c) Actually I'd rather you (not smoke) in here.

d) Suppose you (see) a ghost. What would you do?

e) I'm so annoyed about my car accident. If only I (be) .........

more careful!

f) It's high time you (start) working more seriously.

g) I'd rather you (not put) ........... ..... your coffee on top of mybook.

h) I've no idea where we are! If only we (have) a map.

i) Your hair is rather long. Don't you think it's time you (have)

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swimming.

6 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the firstsentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. you must usebetween two and five words, including the word given.

a) It would be nice to be able to fly a plane.

couldI wish | ......9.!.41((.

b) Please don't eat inyou

I'd rather classroom.

I think we should leave now.

we

I think it's ............ ........... left.What a pity we ate all the food.onlyIf .............. all the food!It's a shame we don't have a video.wishI ................ a video.Don't shout all the time, it's so annoying!wouldn'tI ................ shout all the time!

the classroom.

c)

d)

e)

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