B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 14

Wishes, Regrets, and Formal Demands

4 Total Rules
46 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of expressing regrets, desires, and formal requirements with confidence.

  • Express dissatisfaction with current situations using 'wish'.
  • Reflect on past regrets using the past perfect tense.
  • Formulate formal demands and suggestions using the subjunctive mood.
Mastering the language of regret and resolve.

What You'll Learn

Ever wished you could express past regrets or make formal demands with native-like precision? This chapter unlocks how to use 'wish' for those if only moments and master sophisticated requests, making your English truly shine.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use the subjunctive mood to issue professional requests and suggestions.

Chapter Guide

Overview

As B2 English learners, you're already interacting with native speakers fluently, but truly mastering nuanced expressions can elevate your English to the next level. This chapter is your key to unlocking those "if only" moments and making sophisticated requests, making your English wishes, regrets, and formal demands sound incredibly natural. We'll dive into how to express dissatisfaction with your current situation, articulate things you wish had happened differently in the past, and even convey polite but firm requirements.
Understanding these structures is crucial for sounding less like a textbook and more like a fluent speaker. You'll learn to use wish for present regrets, wish and if only for past regrets, and how to use wish + would to express annoyance. We'll also explore the powerful English subjunctive, a fantastic tool for formal demands and suggestions. Get ready to add precision and polish to your B2 English grammar!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down these powerful grammatical tools, seeing how they allow for nuanced expression.
When you use wish for present regrets, you're talking about how you want your current reality to be different. The trick is to use a past tense verb after "wish." For example, if you're struggling, you might say, "I wish I knew the answer right now." This isn't about the past; it's about wanting your present knowledge to be different. Similarly, "I wish I had more time" expresses a desire for a different present situation.
For past regrets, you'll step further back in time with the past perfect tense after wish or if only. This is for things you regret not doing, or doing, in the past. "I wish I hadn't eaten so much cake yesterday" expresses regret about a past action. "If only I had studied harder for the exam" conveys a deep regret about a missed opportunity. Both "wish" and "if only" work here, with "if only" often carrying a slightly stronger emotional tone.
Moving on to expressing annoyance, we use wish + would. This pattern is specific: you're annoyed and want someone else to change their behavior, or for a situation beyond your control to change. "I wish he would stop talking during the movie" clearly shows your irritation. It implies a desire for a future action from someone else. You can’t use wish + would for yourself.
Finally, the English subjunctive is about making formal demands, suggestions, or expressing essential requirements. It uses the base form of the verb (e.g., be, go, have) regardless of the subject, usually after trigger words like "suggest," "recommend," "essential," or "it is important that." For instance, "I suggest that she be present at the meeting" is a formal suggestion. Or, "It is essential that he arrive on time." Notice how "be" and "arrive" don't change, even with "she" or "he." This structure adds a level of formality and authority to your statements.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: I wish I have more money.
✓ Correct: I wish I had more money.
Explanation: For present wishes/regrets, always use the simple past tense after 'wish'.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: If only I didn't forget her birthday.
✓ Correct: If only I hadn't forgotten her birthday.
Explanation: For past regrets, use the past perfect tense (had + past participle) after 'wish' or 'if only'.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: I wish I would be taller.
✓ Correct: I wish I were taller. (or wish I was taller, more informally)
Explanation: 'Wish + would' is for wanting *someone else's* behavior to change, or a situation *outside your control*. For your own desired changes, use the past tense (or subjunctive 'were').

Real Conversations

A

A

Oh, I'm so stressed about this presentation. I wish I had another day to prepare.
B

B

I know the feeling. If only we had started earlier last week, right?
A

A

He's always leaving his dirty dishes in the sink. I wish he would clean up after himself!
B

B

Tell me about it. It's essential that everyone contribute to keeping the kitchen tidy.
A

A

I really regret missing that concert.
B

B

Me too! I wish I had bought tickets when they first went on sale. Now they're all sold out.

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between "wish I had" and "if only I had"?

Both express past regret using the past perfect. "If only I had" often conveys a slightly stronger, more emotional, or desperate sense of regret than "wish I had."

Q

Can I use "wish + would" to talk about something I want to change about myself?

No, "wish + would" is generally used to express annoyance or a desire for *someone else's* behavior to change, or for an external situation to be different. For yourself, you'd use "I wish I were..." or "I wish I could...".

Q

Is the English subjunctive common in everyday speech?

While less frequent than in more formal contexts, it does appear naturally, especially in phrases like "It is important that he be here" or "I recommend that she speak to the manager." It's more common in formal writing or when emphasizing importance.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use wishes and regrets frequently in daily conversation, often as a way to bond or commiserate. The subjunctive, while more formal, is key for politeness in professional settings. Regional differences mostly involve 'was' vs 'were' for subjunctive (e.g., "I wish I was taller" is common, but "I wish I were taller" is grammatically preferred and used formally).

Key Examples (8)

1

I wish I `had` more time to travel this summer.

Using 'wish' for Present Regrets
2

She wishes she `were` a little bit taller for fashion modeling.

Using 'wish' for Present Regrets
3

I wish I `had woken up` earlier for my morning class.

Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)
4

If only she `had brought` an umbrella, she wouldn't be soaked.

Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)
5

I wish you would listen when I'm talking instead of looking at your phone.

Wish + Would: Expressing Annoyance
6

My mom wishes her car wouldn't make that strange noise every time she starts it.

Wish + Would: Expressing Annoyance
7

The manager recommended that she `be` more proactive in meetings.

English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)
8

It is `essential that he go` through the onboarding process carefully.

English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'Were' Rule

If you want to sound professional or academic, always use 'were' for 'I', 'he', 'she', and 'it'. It shows you have a high level of English mastery.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'wish' for Present Regrets
🎯

The 'That' Trick

You can always omit 'that' after 'wish'. 'I wish I had gone' sounds more natural than 'I wish that I had gone'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)
⚠️

The 'I' Trap

Never say 'I wish I would'. If you want to change your own habit, say 'I wish I didn't' or 'I wish I stopped'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: Expressing Annoyance
🎯

The 'Be' Test

If you aren't sure if a sentence needs the subjunctive, try using the verb 'to be'. If 'be' sounds right (even if formal), it's a subjunctive structure.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)

Key Vocabulary (5)

Subjunctive A grammatical mood used for hypothetical or non-factual situations. Regret A feeling of sadness about something that happened in the past. Demand To ask for something in a forceful way. Annoyance The feeling of being slightly angry or irritated. Hypothetical Based on a situation that is not real.

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Office Conflict

Review Summary

  • Wish + Simple Past
  • Wish + Past Perfect
  • Wish + would + verb
  • Verb + that + subject + base form

Common Mistakes

'Wish' requires a backshift in tense to indicate that the situation is hypothetical, not real.

Wrong: I wish I have more time.
Correct: I wish I had more time.

When expressing annoyance about someone's behavior, use 'would', not 'will'.

Wrong: I wish he will stop.
Correct: I wish he would stop.

The subjunctive requires the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject.

Wrong: I suggest that he is on time.
Correct: I suggest that he be on time.

Next Steps

You have mastered some of the most nuanced structures in English. Keep practicing these in your daily correspondence!

Write a diary entry about a 'perfect day' you wish you had lived.

Continue to: Modal Verbs for Past Speculation

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the most formal option.

I wish I ___ more patient.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: were
'Were' is the formal subjunctive form for all subjects.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'wish' for Present Regrets

Choose the correct verb form.

The manager insists that everyone ___ in the office by 9 AM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: be
After 'insists that,' we use the subjunctive base form 'be.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

I didn't see the sign. I wish I ___ (see) it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had seen
For a past regret, use the Past Perfect (had + V3).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)

Fill in the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

I wish I ___ (have) more time to read.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had
We use the past simple 'had' to express a present regret.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'wish' for Present Regrets

Choose the correct form to express annoyance.

I wish my neighbor ____ playing loud music at 2 AM.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would stop
We use 'would + verb' to express annoyance with someone else's behavior.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wish + Would: Expressing Annoyance

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I suggest that he doesn't be late for the interview.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: doesn't be
The negative subjunctive is 'not be,' not 'doesn't be.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'go'.

It is essential that she ___ to the doctor immediately.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: go
The adjective 'essential' triggers the subjunctive, so we use the base form 'go.'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: English Subjunctive: Making Demands and Suggestions (be, go)

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I wish I can speak Spanish fluently.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: can
'Can' should be 'could' after wish.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'wish' for Present Regrets

Find the mistake in this sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

If only I would have known you were coming!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would have
Replace 'would have' with 'had' for past regrets.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Regretting a past action:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I wish I hadn't gone.
The negative past regret uses 'hadn't' + past participle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Regrets: Using 'Wish' and 'If Only' (Past Perfect)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, in informal speech, I wish I was is very common and accepted. However, in exams or formal writing, I wish I were is preferred.
If only is more emphatic and often expresses a stronger regret. For example, If only I were there! sounds more dramatic than I wish I were there.
In formal English and exams, no. Use I wish I had. While common in some US dialects, it is considered a mistake in standard grammar.
If only is more emphatic and emotional. It often stands alone as an exclamation: If only I'd known!
No. You must use different subjects. For yourself, use 'wish + past simple' (e.g., I wish I didn't smoke).
It depends on your tone. It can be a polite request, but it often sounds like a complaint. In a professional setting, use I would appreciate it if you could... instead.
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Modal Verbs for Past Speculation
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