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. Choose the correct options

2. I wish he [takes|took|had taken] part in the environmental project last year.

3. If only we [have|had|had had] more information about that ecological problem right now.

4. If only he [reads|read|had read] the book about nature loss before he made his report at the conference.

5. I wish people [uses|used|had used] less disposable products these days as this can help reduce landfills.

6. If only there
   [are|were|had been] more nature conservation funds now that aim to help protect the environment.

7. I wish people
   [start|started|had started] producing cars that do not emit exhaust fumes a long time ago, so that they do not damage the environment.

8. Rewrite the parts of the sentences using the words in bold so that they express the same ideas

A. I would like more people to be able to cycle to work, which would help preserve the environment. (wish)

B. [ ] to commute to work by bike which would help save the environment.

1. A.
   I'd prefer burning fossil fuels to generate electricity not to cause acid rain and damage the environment nowadays. (If only)
   B. [ ] burning fossil fuels to generate electricity [ ] acid rain and damage the environment nowadays.
2. A.
   People should have managed to reverse nature loss in the previous century. Unfortunately, at the beginning of this century the destruction of nature continues. (wish)
   B. [ ] to reverse nature loss in the previous century. Unfortunately, at the beginning of this century the destruction of nature continues.
3. A.
   They should install energy-efficient lighting in the office. It will allow them to save not only electricity but also a considerable sum of money. (If only)
   B. [ ] energy-efficient lighting in the office. It will allow them to save not only electricity but also a considerable sum of money.
4. A.
   They should have constructed enough wind turbines to produce sustainable energy in the previous years. We could reduce or even stop burning fossil fuels to generate electricity. (If only)
   B. [ ] enough wind turbines to produce sustainable energy in the previous years. We could reduce or even stop burning fossil fuels to generate electricity.
5. A.
   I think my sister should be more eco-friendly! She always uses disposable plastic packaging bags and never even tries to sort rubbish. (wish)
   B. [ ] more eco-friendly! She always uses disposable plastic packaging bags and never even tries to sort rubbish.