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Explanations

Wishes r Wishes about the present


For wishes about the present we use I wish + the past simple. The time
referred to is an imaginary present.
I wish I knew the answer to this question. (I do not know the answer.)
I wish I didn't have so much work to do. (I do have a lot of work.)
r Wishes about the past
For wishes about the past we use I wish + the past perfect. The time referred
to is past time.
I wish I had gone to your party last week. (I did not go.)
r Wishes about the future
We can use could to refer to a future event.
I wish lune could meet me next week.
We also use could to refer to something that is generally difficult or
impossible.
I wish I could drive.
I wish I could contact him, but I don't have my mobile phone with me.
We can also use have to to refer to a future event.
I wish I didn't have to get up early tomorrow.
r Wishes tsing would
When we want to complain about a bad habit we use I wish + would.
I wish Peter wouldn't chew gum all the time.
we also use I wish + would to refer to something that we would like to
happen.
I wish the police would do something about these people!

If only We can replace I wish with If only for emphasis.


If only I knew the answer to this question!
If only I had gone to your party last week!
In speech, only is often heavily stressed.

It's time I The construction it's time l/you/we... is followed by a past tense.
Sorry, but it's time we went home.
The meaning here is similar to a second conditional.
If we went it would be better.
home,
High can be added for extra emphasis.
It's high time you learned to look afrer yourself!
t lt's time can also be used with the infinitive. The meaning changes slightly.
It's time you started work! (you are beinglazy and not working)
It's time to start work. (a simple statement of fact)

44

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FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence.

a) I wish Peter doesn't live/didn'rJae/wouldn't live so far away from the town
centre. We'll have to take a taxi.
b) I feel rather cold. I wish I brought/had brought my pullover with me.
c) what a pity. I wish we don't hqve to/didn't have to/wouldn't have to leave.
d) I wish yolu tell/told/had told me about the test. I haven't done any revision.
e) I wish the people next door hadn't made/wouldn,t make/couldn't make so much
noise. I can't hear myself think!
f) Darling, I love you so much! I wish we are/had been/would be/could be
together alwaysl
g) I'm sorry I missed your birthday party.I really wish I come/came/had
come/would come.
h) I like my new boss but I wish she gave/would give/could give me some more
responsibility.
D Having a lovely time in Brighton. I wish you are/were/had been herc.
j) This car was a complete waste of money. I wish I didn't buy/hadn,t bought it.

2 Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

a) This train journey seems endless! I wish we (go) ...hAd..SA.yj&................. by


car.
b) I wish I (have) the money to buy some new clothes,
but I can't afford any at the moment.
c) I wish the government (do) something about the
pollution in the city.
d) I'm getting really soaked! I wish I (not forget) ............... .... my
umbrella.
e) I wish you (not do) ............ ....... that! It,s a really annoying habit.
0 That was a lovely meal, but I wish I (not eat) ................... so
much.
g) I wish I (study) harder for my exams. I,m not going
to pass.
h) I wish you (not leave) your dirty shoes in your
bedroom!
i) I'm afraid I have no idea where Diana has gone. I wish I (know)

i) r wish we (g',
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46
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FIRST CERTIFICATE TANGUAGE PRACTICE

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5 Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

a) What can we do to get in touch with Robert? If only we (know)


..........bP.W. his phone number.
b) Come on children! It's time you (be) in bed.
c) Actually I'd rather you (not smoke) in here.
d) Suppose you (see) a ghost. What would you do?
e) I'm so annoyed about my car accident. If only I (be) .........
more careful!
f) It's high time you (start) working more seriously.
g) I'd rather you (not put) ........... ..... your coffee on top of my
book.
h) I've no idea where we are! If only we (have) a map.
i) Your hair is rather long. Don't you think it's time you (have)

i) ;;,,;;;";;;";;;;;;"l.l]il,il; ,", r,d sooner we (go)


swimming.

6 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. you must use
between two and five words, including the word given.

a) It would be nice to be able to fly a plane.


could
I wish | ......9.!.41((.
b) Please don't eat in the classroom.
you
I'd rather classroom.
c) I think we should leave now.
we
I think it's ............ ........... left.
d) What a pity we ate all the food.
only
If .............. all the food!
e) It's a shame we don't have a video.
wish
I ................ a video.
Don't shout all the time, it's so annoying!
wouldn't
I ................ shout all the time!
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