Grammar Subjunctive LexFizz Team 9 min read
Part of the Grammar Guides Series

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Key Takeaways
  • Wish + past simple expresses a desire to change a current situation that cannot easily be changed.
  • Wish + past perfect expresses regret about something that happened (or did not happen) in the past.
  • If only is interchangeable with wish but carries stronger emotional weight — frustration, longing, or deep regret.
  • Would rather expresses a preference between two options; when followed by a subject, it takes the past simple.
  • These structures use a past tense form but refer to unreal or hypothetical situations — this is called the subjunctive mood.

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Expressing wishes, regrets, and preferences is one of the trickier areas of English grammar — not because the rules are complex, but because the verb forms used look like the past tense yet refer to the present or future. This guide explains wish, if only, and would rather step by step, with clear tables, annotated examples, and tips for avoiding the most common mistakes made by learners at B1–C1 level.

Wish + Past Simple: Present Wishes

When we want to express a wish about a present situation that we would like to be different, we use wish + past simple. The past simple here does not refer to the past — it signals that the situation is unreal or contrary to fact. This use of a past verb form with a present meaning is known as the subjunctive mood.

Structure

Subject + wish(es) + subject + past simple verb

I wish I spoke better French. (= I don't speak good French, and I want to.)

She wishes she lived closer to work. (= She doesn't live close to work.)

They wish they had more free time. (= They don't have much free time.)

Note on “were”: In formal English, we use were instead of was after wish for all persons: "I wish I were taller." In everyday speech, was is widely accepted, but were is always correct in writing and exams.
Real situationWish (unreal)
I don't earn much money.I wish I earned more money.
He can't drive.He wishes he could drive.
We don't live near the sea.We wish we lived near the sea.
She isn't confident in English.She wishes she were more confident in English.
The weather is terrible today.I wish the weather were better.

Wish + Past Perfect: Past Regrets

To express regret about something that happened in the past — something we cannot now change — we use wish + past perfect (had + past participle). This is the grammar of hindsight: looking back at a decision or event and wishing it had been different.

Structure

Subject + wish(es) + subject + had + past participle

I wish I had studied harder at school. (= I didn't study hard enough — I regret it now.)

He wishes he hadn't said that. (= He said something he now regrets.)

We wish we had booked the tickets earlier. (= We didn't book early and now they're sold out.)

What actually happenedPast regret with wish
I didn't take the job offer.I wish I had taken the job offer.
She spent all her savings.She wishes she hadn't spent all her savings.
We left the party early.We wish we hadn't left the party so early.
He didn't apologise.He wishes he had apologised at the time.
I told her the truth.I wish I hadn't told her the truth.

Wish + Would: Complaints and Requests for Change

A third use of wish is to express irritation or dissatisfaction about something a person or thing keeps doing, or to wish that someone will do something differently in the future. Here we use wish + would + infinitive. This structure is almost always about other people's habits — not your own.

Structure

Subject + wish(es) + subject + would + base verb

I wish you would stop interrupting me. (= You keep interrupting me and it annoys me.)

She wishes her neighbour would turn down the music. (= The neighbour plays loud music repeatedly.)

We wish the council would fix the road. (= The road is broken and nothing is being done.)

Important: Do not use wish + I/we would to talk about your own behaviour — this sounds unnatural. Use wish + could instead: "I wish I could stop procrastinating" (not "I wish I would stop").

If Only: Stronger Wishes and Regrets

If only follows exactly the same grammatical patterns as wish — it can be followed by past simple (present wishes), past perfect (past regrets), or would (complaints). The key difference is tone: if only expresses a stronger, more emotional feeling of longing, frustration, or regret. It is often used in dramatic or deeply felt situations.

If Only with Past Simple (Present)

If only I knew the answer! (= Strong wish — I really want to know but I don't.)

If only she were here right now. (= Longing for someone's presence.)

If Only with Past Perfect (Past)

If only I had listened to you. (= Deep regret — stronger than "I wish I had listened".)

If only we hadn't missed that flight. (= Frustration about a past event and its consequences.)

If Only with Would (Complaint)

If only he would make up his mind! (= Exasperation at someone's indecision.)

Would Rather: Expressing Preferences

Would rather (often contracted to 'd rather) is used to express a preference — choosing one option over another. There are two main patterns depending on whether both verbs share the same subject or not.

Would Rather + Infinitive (Same Subject)

When talking about your own preference between two actions, use would rather + base verb (without to):

I'd rather stay home tonight. (= I prefer staying home to going out.)

She'd rather take the train than fly. (= She prefers the train.)

Would you rather have tea or coffee? (= Which do you prefer?)

Would Rather + Subject + Past Simple (Different Subject)

When expressing a preference about what someone else does, use would rather + subject + past simple:

I'd rather you didn't mention this to anyone. (= I prefer that you don't tell anyone.)

She'd rather he came with us. (= She prefers for him to come along.)

We'd rather they arrived on time next time. (= We prefer punctuality.)

Tip: The past simple after would rather + subject is another example of the subjunctive. Even though "came" and "arrived" look like past tense, the sentence refers to the present or future. This is the same pattern as wish + past simple.

Summary Table

The table below brings all three structures together for easy comparison:

StructureMeaningVerb form usedExample
Wish + past simplePresent wish (unreal situation)Past simple / wereI wish I had more time.
Wish + past perfectPast regret (cannot be changed)Had + past participleI wish I had studied more.
Wish + wouldComplaint / desire for changeWould + base verbI wish he would listen.
If only + past simpleStrong present wish / longingPast simple / wereIf only I knew the answer!
If only + past perfectStrong past regretHad + past participleIf only I had told her sooner.
Would rather + infinitivePersonal preferenceBase verb (no to)I'd rather walk.
Would rather + subject + past simplePreference about someone else's actionPast simpleI'd rather you waited outside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These structures trip up even advanced learners. Here are the errors that come up most frequently, along with clear corrections.

Mistake 1: Using Present Tense After Wish

Incorrect: I wish I am taller.

Correct: I wish I were taller.

After wish, always use a past form, not a present form. The present tense is not used in this structure.

Mistake 2: Confusing Past Simple and Past Perfect

Incorrect: I wish I studied harder last year. (intended as a regret)

Correct: I wish I had studied harder last year.

For regrets about finished past events, the past perfect (had + past participle) is required. The past simple is only used for present wishes.

Mistake 3: Using “Wish + Would” for Yourself

Incorrect: I wish I would exercise more.

Correct: I wish I could exercise more. / I wish I exercised more.

The wish + would pattern applies to other people's behaviour, not your own. Use could or the past simple when the subject of both clauses is the same.

Mistake 4: Adding “to” After “Would Rather”

Incorrect: I'd rather to go by bus.

Correct: I'd rather go by bus.

Would rather is always followed by the bare infinitive — the base form of the verb without to.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between “wish” and “hope” in English?
Hope refers to something that is possible and might really happen: "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow" (it might not rain — there's a genuine chance). Wish refers to something we know is unlikely or impossible to change: "I wish it wouldn't rain" (the rain seems inevitable or the situation feels uncontrollable). Hope uses present or future forms; wish always uses past forms for its complement clause.
Can I use “was” instead of “were” after “wish”?
In informal spoken English, "I wish I was taller" is widely used and understood. However, in formal writing, academic English, and in exams like IELTS or Cambridge exams, "I wish I were taller" is the correct and preferred form. The subjunctive were is used for all persons (I, he, she, it, you, we, they) after wish, if only, and second conditional if clauses. When in doubt, use were — it is always acceptable; was is sometimes considered informal or non-standard.
How do I use “would rather” in a question?
To form a question with would rather, invert the subject and would: "Would you rather stay in or go out tonight?" For choices between two options, use or: "Would you rather have the window seat or the aisle?" In the past simple pattern (about someone else's actions), questions are less common but follow the same rule: "Would you rather I came back later?"
Is “if only” always interchangeable with “wish”?
Grammatically, yes — the verb forms that follow are identical. The difference is stylistic and emotional. If only carries a stronger sense of longing, frustration, or dramatic regret. It is more common in emotional speech, literature, and storytelling. Wish is the neutral, everyday choice. You can always substitute one for the other without making a grammatical error, but the tone and impact of the sentence will shift.
How is “wish + would” different from a second conditional?
A second conditional ("If he listened more, he would understand the task") describes a hypothetical scenario and its result. Wish + would ("I wish he would listen more") expresses dissatisfaction with someone's current, repeated behaviour and a desire for it to change. The second conditional is neutral and descriptive; wish + would has an emotional colouring of complaint or frustration. They are related structures but serve different communicative purposes.
Can “would rather” refer to the past?
Yes. To express a preference about a past action, use would rather + have + past participle: "I'd rather have taken the earlier train" (= I preferred the earlier option, but took the later one). When talking about someone else's past action: "I'd rather you hadn't mentioned it" (= I preferred that you didn't say it, but you did). This parallels the wish + past perfect structure for expressing regret.
What level of English should I be at to learn these structures?
The wish + past simple and basic would rather structures are typically introduced at B1 level. Wish + past perfect, wish + would, and the nuances of if only are consolidation points at B2. Full mastery — including formal subjunctive use, stylistic contrasts, and the past would rather + have form — is a C1 target. If you are preparing for Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced exams, all of these structures are examinable.
How do I express a wish about the weather or an impersonal situation?
For impersonal situations, use it as the subject: "I wish it were warmer." / "I wish it would stop raining." / "If only it weren't so humid." You can also use there: "I wish there were more time." / "If only there had been a better solution." The grammar follows the same rules — past simple for present wishes, past perfect for past regrets, and would for ongoing dissatisfaction.
What is the negative form of “I wish I had”?
To make the past perfect negative after wish, use hadn't + past participle: "I wish I hadn't said that." / "She wishes she hadn't accepted the invitation." This means the person did do the thing and now regrets it. Compare with the positive: "I wish I had called her" (= I didn't call her and I regret it) vs "I wish I hadn't called her" (= I called her and I regret it).
How can I practise wish, if only, and would rather effectively?
The most effective method is personalisation: write five genuine wishes about your own life using each structure, then check your sentences. This forces your brain to connect the grammar to real meaning. You can also practise with fill-in-the-blank exercises, transformation drills (rewriting sentences from the positive to the negative or vice versa), and reading authentic English texts to see how native writers use these structures naturally. LexFizz's cloze and quiz exercises are a good starting point for structured drilling.