Rule: wish and if only

1. We use Past Simple or Past Continuous after wish and if only to express general wishes or wishes about the present or future.

The professor wishes he was taking part in the conference on global warming instead of giving a lecture at the university.

2. We use Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous after wish and if only to express wishes about the past.

If only I had found out about this yesterday. I wouldn't make such a grave mistake.

3. We use would and the first form of the verb after wish and if only to express criticism or disappointment with the situation in the present or future.

I wish the audience would listen more attentively to the speakers.

1. Read the sentences and correct the mistakes

2. A. If only people
   knew about the consequences some time ago, they would try to do something to prevent global warming.

   B. If only people [ ] about the consequences some time ago, they would try to do something to prevent global warming.

3. A. I wish people
   started sorting and recycling rubbish earlier so that landfills could have been avoided.

   B. I wish people [ ] sorting and recycling rubbish earlier so that landfills could have been avoided.

4. A. I wish people
   think more about nature now and all their actions were eco-friendly.

   B. I wish people [ ] more about nature now and all their actions were eco-friendly.

5. A. I wish more biodegradable things
   were produced in the past.

   B. I wish more biodegradable things [ ] in the past.

6. A. If only people
   can immediately refuse to use petrol engine cars that emit a lot of exhaust fumes.

   B. If only people [ ] immediately refuse to use petrol engine cars that emit a lot of exhaust fumes.

7. A. I wish you
   not missed this environmental conference, it was very useful.

   B. I wish you [ ] this environmental conference, it was very useful.

8. A. I wish they
   have trash bags yesterday so they could pick up the rubbish they left behind.

   B. I wish they [ ] trash bags yesterday so they could pick up the rubbish they left behind.

9. A. I wish you
   would to strive to be more environmentally friendly.

   B. I wish you [ ] to be more environmentally friendly.

10. Complete the sentences about yourself

11. I wish I [ ].

12. I wish my friend would [ ].

13. If only I had [ ].

14. If only [ ].