Second Conditional: wish / if only + past simple (B2)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

I wish I more patient with people.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" uses "were" (formal) or "was" (informal) — both accepted. Never "am" after "wish" for a present wish. The structure expresses dissatisfaction with the current reality.

He wishes he in a warmer country.

Correct answer: lived

"Wish + past simple" expresses a present wish. "Live" becomes "lived" in the past simple. Don't use present simple "lives" — that states a fact, not a wish.

If only she how to drive a car.

Correct answer: knew

"If only + past simple" is a more emphatic form of "I wish". "Know" becomes "knew". Present simple "knows" is incorrect after "if only" for an unreal present situation.

I wish it summer all year round.

Correct answer: were

"Were/was" after "wish" for present unreal wish about states. Both "were" (formal subjunctive) and "was" (informal) are accepted. Present "is" cannot follow "wish" to express an unreal wish.

They wish they more money to spend on travelling.

Correct answer: had

"Wish + past simple" — "have" → "had". The structure expresses a current lack of money. "Would have" is incorrect here; "had" is simply the past simple of "have".

If only he stop interrupting people during meetings!

Correct answer: would

"If only + would" expresses a wish about someone else's behaviour — often a complaint. "Would stop" = I want him to change his behaviour. "Stopped" (past simple) expresses a wish about a state, not a requested change.

She wishes the neighbours so noisy at night.

Correct answer: weren't

"Weren't/wasn't" (past simple negative of "be") after "wish". Both "weren't" (formal) and "wasn't" (informal) are accepted. Present "aren't" cannot follow "wish" for an unreal present situation.

I wish I find my keys — I have looked everywhere!

Correct answer: could

"Wish + could + infinitive" expresses a wish about ability. "Could find" = I want to be able to find them. "Can find" (present ability) is incorrect after "wish" for an unreal situation.

If only it stop raining — we have been stuck indoors all day!

Correct answer: would

"If only + would" for a wish about a situation changing. "Would stop" = I want the rain to stop (desired future change). "Stopped" (past simple) expresses a wish about a current state, not a requested change.

He wishes he stay a bit longer, but he has a flight to catch.

Correct answer: could

"Wish + could + infinitive" expresses a wish about possibility. "Could stay" = he wants the opportunity to stay but can't. "Would stay" is also possible but "could" better emphasises the lack of possibility here.

I wish I working overtime so often — it is exhausting.

Correct answer: didn't have to

"Wish + past simple" — the negative of "have to" is "didn't have to". This expresses a wish about a recurring obligation. "Wouldn't have to" is also accepted (expresses desired change in circumstances).

If only people more careful with the environment!

Correct answer: were

"If only + past simple of be" — "were" (formal) or "was" (informal). This expresses a wish about general human behaviour (a present state). "Would be" could also be used to express a wish about future change.

She wishes her boss a better listener in team meetings.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" — "were/was". This expresses her wish that her boss currently had the quality of being a good listener. Both "were" and "was" are accepted for present character wishes.

If only I drive — I would save so much money on public transport.

Correct answer: could

"If only + could + infinitive" = a wish about a missing ability. "Could" is the past tense of "can" used in this wish structure. Present "can drive" is incorrect after "if only" in an unreal context.

"I wish it possible to take a longer holiday," she sighed.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" — "were" (formal subjunctive) or "was" (informal). This is a wish about a present impossibility. Present "is" cannot follow "wish" in an unreal conditional structure.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

I wish I more patient with people.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" uses "were" (formal) or "was" (informal) — both accepted. Never "am" after "wish" for a present wish. The structure expresses dissatisfaction with the current reality.

He wishes he in a warmer country.

Correct answer: lived

"Wish + past simple" expresses a present wish. "Live" becomes "lived" in the past simple. Don't use present simple "lives" — that states a fact, not a wish.

If only she how to drive a car.

Correct answer: knew

"If only + past simple" is a more emphatic form of "I wish". "Know" becomes "knew". Present simple "knows" is incorrect after "if only" for an unreal present situation.

I wish it summer all year round.

Correct answer: were

"Were/was" after "wish" for present unreal wish about states. Both "were" (formal subjunctive) and "was" (informal) are accepted. Present "is" cannot follow "wish" to express an unreal wish.

They wish they more money to spend on travelling.

Correct answer: had

"Wish + past simple" — "have" → "had". The structure expresses a current lack of money. "Would have" is incorrect here; "had" is simply the past simple of "have".

If only he stop interrupting people during meetings!

Correct answer: would

She wishes the neighbours so noisy at night.

Correct answer: weren't

"Weren't/wasn't" (past simple negative of "be") after "wish". Both "weren't" (formal) and "wasn't" (informal) are accepted. Present "aren't" cannot follow "wish" for an unreal present situation.

I wish I find my keys — I have looked everywhere!

Correct answer: could

"Wish + could + infinitive" expresses a wish about ability. "Could find" = I want to be able to find them. "Can find" (present ability) is incorrect after "wish" for an unreal situation.

If only it stop raining — we have been stuck indoors all day!

Correct answer: would

He wishes he stay a bit longer, but he has a flight to catch.

Correct answer: could

I wish I working overtime so often — it is exhausting.

Correct answer: didn't have to

If only people more careful with the environment!

Correct answer: were

She wishes her boss a better listener in team meetings.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" — "were/was". This expresses her wish that her boss currently had the quality of being a good listener. Both "were" and "was" are accepted for present character wishes.

If only I drive — I would save so much money on public transport.

Correct answer: could

"If only + could + infinitive" = a wish about a missing ability. "Could" is the past tense of "can" used in this wish structure. Present "can drive" is incorrect after "if only" in an unreal context.

"I wish it possible to take a longer holiday," she sighed.

Correct answer: were

"Wish + past simple of be" — "were" (formal subjunctive) or "was" (informal). This is a wish about a present impossibility. Present "is" cannot follow "wish" in an unreal conditional structure.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.