wish / if only

To wish a present situation were different, use 'wish' + past simple: 'I wish I had more time' (but I don't). The past tense signals that the wish is unreal.

With 'to be', use 'were' for all subjects in careful English: 'I wish she were here.' 'Wish I could' expresses a present inability.

To express regret about the past, use 'wish' + past perfect: 'I wish I had studied harder' (but I didn't).

The past perfect (had + participle) shows the regret is about something already finished. The negative works the same: 'I wish I hadn't said that.'

Use 'wish' + would to complain about an annoying habit or to want something to change: 'I wish you would stop interrupting me.'

We typically use it about other people or things (not ourselves), often expressing irritation or impatience.

'If only' works exactly like 'wish' but is more emphatic and emotional: 'If only I knew what to do!'

It follows the same tense rules: past simple for the present (If only I knew), past perfect for the past (If only I had listened), would for annoyance/change (If only she would call).