Wish & If Only Exercises PDFSet 2: Past Regrets: Wish in the Past / If Only + Past Perfect
20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.I failed the exam. I wish I ___ harder.
a) studiedb) had studiedc) would studyd) have studied
2.She said something rude to her friend. She wishes she ___ that.
a) didn't sayb) wouldn't sayc) hasn't saidd) hadn't said
3.If only I ___ to the doctor sooner. Now my condition is worse.
a) wentb) would goc) had goned) have gone
4.We missed the train. I wish we ___ earlier.
a) had leftb) leftc) would leaved) have left
5.He spent all his money on clothes. He wishes he ___ so much.
a) didn't spendb) wouldn't spendc) hadn't spentd) hasn't spent
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.had studied
2.hadn't said
3.had gone
4.had left
5.hadn't spent
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."had studied"(b)
Use 'wish + past perfect' (had + past participle) for past regrets. 'I wish I had studied harder' means I didn't study enough and now I regret it. Past simple ('studied') would make this a present wish, not a past regret.
2."hadn't said"(d)
Negative past regret: 'wish + hadn't + past participle'. She said something rude and now regrets it. 'She wishes she hadn't said that' means she wants to undo what she said. Use 'hadn't', not 'didn't'.
3."had gone"(c)
'If only + past perfect' for past regrets, just like wish. 'If only I had gone to the doctor sooner' means I went too late and now regret it. 'If only' adds more emotion than 'wish'.
4."had left"(a)
Past regret with wish + past perfect: 'I wish we had left earlier'. We didn't leave early enough and missed the train. The past perfect shows this is about a completed past event we regret.
5."hadn't spent"(c)
Negative past regret: 'wish + hadn't + past participle'. He spent too much and now regrets it. 'Spend' is irregular: spend → spent → spent. Use 'hadn't spent', not 'didn't spend'.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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