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'Wish' and 'if only' can be used:

1. To wish for an ability now or in the future.

I wish (that) / If only + subject + could + infinitive

- I wish I could play the guitar!

- If only I could dance like that!

- I wish I could go to your wedding next week, but I can’t.

- If only I could see my grandmother more often, but I can’t.

To wish that something could be true at the moment.

I wish (that) / If only + subject + past simple

• I wish I had long hair!

• If only I were taller!

3. To wish that something was happening at the moment.

I wish (that) / If only + subject + were + past continuous

• I wish I was lying on the beach right now!

• If only I was lying on the beach right now!

4. To wish that something kept happening again and again, or to wish it could stop happening.

I wish (that) / If only + subject + would + past participle

- I wish you wouldn’t shout so loudly.

- If only he wouldn’t shout so loudly.

5. To wish that something in the past had happened in a different way.

I wish (that) / If only + past perfect

• I wish I had studied for my exam!

• If only I hadn’t argued with him!