Wish & If Only: Mixed Transformation Easy
B1-B2 Level
English Exercises is teacher-led by Charlie. About the teacher · How content is made
The biggest challenge when mixing structures is reading too quickly and choosing the wrong one. A useful strategy is to ask yourself three questions before answering: Is this about now? (past simple.) Is this about the past? (past perfect.) Is this about someone's behaviour I want to change? (would.) Getting this decision right is more important than the grammar itself, because students who identify the correct time frame usually form the sentence correctly. This mixed format mirrors how wish questions appear in Cambridge B1-B2 examinations, where all three structures can appear in a single exercise.
Quick Rule
wish + past simple (present) | wish + had + past participle (past) | wish + would (behaviour)
- 1.I wish I had a garden. (present wish — I don't have one now)
- 2.She wishes she hadn't missed the deadline. (past regret — she missed it)
- 3.If only they would be quiet during the film. (complaint — they keep talking)
- 4.We don't wish we had chosen differently — we're happy. (negative — no regret)
- 5.He wishes he could play the guitar. (present wish — "could" for ability)
All 20 questions
Complete the sentence so it has the same meaning as the original. Choose the correct structure based on context: past simple (present situations), past perfect (past regrets), or would (complaints/change).
I don't have a bike.
I wish I
I didn't bring my umbrella yesterday.
I wish I
My sister always borrows my clothes without asking.
I wish my sister
She can't swim.
She wishes she
We didn't save enough money last year.
We wish we
He never replies to my messages.
I wish he
I'm not tall enough to reach the shelf.
I wish I
She forgot to call me on my birthday last week.
If only she
The neighbours keep playing loud music at night.
I wish the neighbours
I don't know how to cook.
I wish I
I didn't study medicine when I was younger.
I wish I
It's raining heavily now.
I wish it
We don't live near the beach.
We wish we
She spent all her money on that bag.
She wishes she
My dog always barks at strangers.
I wish my dog
I can't afford a new car right now.
I wish I
I didn't take the opportunity when I had the chance.
If only I
He keeps interrupting me during meetings.
I wish he
I'm not very confident in public speaking.
I wish I
We didn't book the tickets earlier, so we missed the concert.
We wish we
Continue Practising
Continue practising with these related exercises
Past Simple Transformation
EasyTransform present situations into wish + past simple
20 questions
Past Perfect Transformation
MediumTransform past regrets into wish + past perfect
20 questions
Would Transformation
MediumTransform complaints about behaviour into wish + would
20 questions
-ed vs -ing Adjectives
EasyPractise bored/boring, interested/interesting, and other feeling adjective pairs
60 questions
Conditionals
MediumMaster all types of conditional sentences (zero to third)
330 questions
Present Perfect
MediumLearn to talk about experiences and unfinished time
240 questions