Basics of wishes and regrets. 45 questions on wish + Past Simple, wish + would, and if only.
What this test covers
- Wish + Past Simple (Present Wishes)
- Wish + Would (Complaints & Requests for Change)
- If Only
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1I wish I ___ the answer to this question.
Answer: A. knew
When we want something to be different right now, we use a past word like 'knew' instead of 'know.' It is like imagining a different present.
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Q2She wishes she ___ closer to her office.
Answer: D. lived
To talk about a situation we want to change now, we use the past form of the verb. 'Lived' shows she does not live close now but wants to.
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Q3I wish I ___ more free time this weekend.
Answer: B. had
We use 'had' (the past form) to show we want something different in the present. Using 'have' is for real facts, but 'wish' needs a step back into the past.
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Q4He wishes he ___ more confident in meetings.
Answer: C. were
In 'wish' sentences, we usually use 'were' instead of 'was' or 'is,' even for one person (I, he, she). It shows the situation is not real.
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Q5I wish I ___ how to drive a car.
Answer: D. knew
When you do not have a skill now but want it, use the past form 'knew.' Words like 'know' or 'knowing' do not work with 'wish' for this meaning.
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Q6They wish they ___ a bigger house.
Answer: D. had
We use the past word 'had' to talk about things we want to own now but do not. Words like 'have' or 'has' are used for real, current facts.
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Q7I wish I ___ taller than I am.
Answer: A. were
Even though we usually say 'I am,' we use 'were' with 'wish' to talk about an imaginary situation. It shows you are not actually taller.
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Q8She wishes she ___ a car.
Answer: A. had
The past form 'had' is used after 'wish' to show that she wants a car right now but does not have one.
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Q9I wish I ___ the truth about what happened.
Answer: C. knew
Use the past form 'knew' to show you want information that you do not have right now. 'Know' is for things that are already true.
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Q10He wishes he ___ a better job.
Answer: D. had
We use 'had' after 'wish' to talk about a present situation he wants to change. 'Has' or 'have' are for things that are true right now.
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Q11I wish it ___ sunny right now.
Answer: B. were
Use 'were' to talk about a dream or a wish for the weather to be different. 'Is' describes the real weather, but 'wish' needs the 'imaginary' word 'were.'
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Q12She wishes she ___ speak French fluently.
Answer: D. could
We use 'could' (the past form of 'can') to talk about abilities we want to have now. 'Can' is for things you are already able to do.
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Q13Which sentence is correct?
Answer: A. I wish I knew the answer.
After 'I wish,' we need the past form of the action. 'Knew' is the past of 'know.' We cannot use 'know,' 'knowing,' or 'known' in this specific way.
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Q14Which sentence is correct?
Answer: A. She wishes she lived closer.
The main action after 'wish' needs to be in the past. 'Lived' is the past form. Using 'live' or 'lives' is a common mistake because they look like the present.
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Q15Correct the error in this sentence: She wish she lived closer.
Answer: C. She wishes she lived closer.
For 'he,' 'she,' or 'it,' we must add 'es' to the word 'wish,' making it 'wishes.' The second part of the sentence stays in the past ('lived').
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Q16I wish you ___ stop shouting.
Answer: A. would
Use 'would' when you want someone else to change their behavior because it is annoying you. It is like a polite but firm request for change.
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Q17She wishes he ___ tidy his room more often.
Answer: B. would
When we are unhappy with what someone else does, we use 'would' + the simple action ('tidy'). This shows we want them to change.
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Q18I wish it ___ stop raining.
Answer: D. would
We use 'would' for things we cannot control, like the weather, when we want them to change. It is a common way to complain about the rain.
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Q19He wishes she ___ talk so much during class.
Answer: D. wouldn't
Use 'wouldn't' (would not) when someone does something annoying and you want them to stop. It is for complaining about a habit.
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Q20I wish they ___ arrive on time for once.
Answer: B. would
We use 'would' here to show that their lateness is a problem and we want them to change their behavior in the future.
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Q21She wishes he ___ listen to her more.
Answer: D. would
We use 'would' + an action (like 'listen') to express that we want someone else to act differently. It shows a desire for a change in behavior.
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Q22I wish you ___ play that loud music.
Answer: B. wouldn't
'Wouldn't' is the best choice here because you are asking someone to stop doing something that is bothering you.
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Q23He wishes the bus ___ come faster.
Answer: D. would
Use 'would' when you are waiting for something to happen and you feel impatient. It shows you want the situation to change.
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Q24I wish you ___ leave your shoes here.
Answer: A. wouldn't
'Wouldn't' is used to complain about a habit someone has. You are asking them not to do that action anymore.
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Q25Which sentence is correct?
Answer: D. I wish you would help me.
To ask someone to help in a 'wish' sentence, use 'would' + the action. Using 'can,' 'will,' or just 'help' does not follow the grammar rules for wishes.
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Q26Which sentence is correct?
Answer: D. She wishes they would be polite.
We use 'would be' to show we want people to change their behavior. Using 'are,' 'can be,' or 'will be' is incorrect in this type of wish.
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Q27Correct the error in this sentence: I wish you will stop.
Answer: B. I wish you would stop.
We do not use 'will' after 'wish.' Instead, we use 'would' to ask someone to stop doing something annoying.
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Q28Correct the error in this sentence: He wishes she would not talks so much.
Answer: B. He wishes she would not talk so much.
After the word 'would,' always use the simple base form of the action. You should use 'talk' instead of 'talks,' 'talked,' or 'talking.'
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Q29I wish you ___ help me with the dishes.
Answer: C. would
Using 'would' is a way to say you want someone to do something for you. It is often used for polite requests about tasks.
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Q30He wishes his neighbour's dog ___ stop barking.
Answer: D. would
Use 'would' to talk about an annoying sound or action you want to end. It shows you are frustrated with the current situation.
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Q31If only I ___ the answer!
Answer: B. knew
'If only' works just like 'I wish.' Use the past form 'knew' to show you do not know the answer right now.
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Q32If only he ___ here right now.
Answer: C. were
Use 'were' with 'If only' to talk about a person who is not here. 'Were' is used for everyone (I, he, she, it, they) in these imaginary sentences.
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Q33If only it ___ stop raining!
Answer: A. would
We use 'If only' + 'would' to show we really want a situation (like the weather) to change because it is making us unhappy.
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Q34If only I ___ more money.
Answer: D. had
'If only' is a stronger way to say 'I wish.' Use the past form 'had' to talk about something you do not have in the present.
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Q35If only she ___ listen to me.
Answer: D. would
Use 'would' to show you are frustrated because someone is not listening. It expresses a strong desire for them to change their behavior.
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Q36If only I ___ more time to finish this.
Answer: B. had
Just like 'wish,' 'If only' needs the past form 'had' to show you want more time right now. Using 'have' or 'has' is for real facts.
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Q37If only he ___ more patient.
Answer: A. were
We use 'were' to describe how we want someone to be. 'Is' describes how they actually are, but 'If only' needs the 'imaginary' word 'were.'
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Q38If only I ___ speak Spanish.
Answer: C. could
'Could' is the past form of 'can.' Use it with 'If only' to talk about an ability or skill you want to have but do not have yet.
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Q39If only they ___ tell the truth.
Answer: D. would
'If only' + 'would' expresses a strong wish for someone else to change how they act. It shows you want them to stop lying.
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Q40If only I ___ a bike.
Answer: C. had
Use the past form 'had' with 'If only' to show you want to own something now. Words like 'have' or 'has' do not work for this kind of wish.
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Q41Which sentence is correct?
Answer: A. If only I knew
'If only' is followed by the past form of the verb. 'Knew' is the past of 'know.' Using 'known,' 'know,' or 'knowing' is not correct here.
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Q42Which sentence is correct?
Answer: C. If only he lived closer.
We must use the past form 'lived' after 'If only.' Using 'live,' 'lives,' or 'has lived' is incorrect for a present wish.
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Q43Correct the error in this sentence: If only I am taller.
Answer: C. If only I were taller.
In 'If only' and 'wish' sentences, we replace 'am' or 'is' with 'were.' This shows the situation is a dream or a wish, not a fact. We never use 'will' after 'If only' when expressing a wish about the present — 'would' is for requesting that others change their behaviour.
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Q44Correct the error in this sentence: If only he stops talking.
Answer: C. If only he would stop talking.
To show you want someone to change their current behavior, use 'would' + the action word. 'Stops' is present tense (for real facts) and is incorrect after 'If only.' 'Will' is also wrong here because 'If only' is never followed by 'will' — use 'would' instead.
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Q45Correct the error in this sentence: If only she would not talks so much.
Answer: D. If only she would not talk so much.
After 'would' or 'would not,' we always use the base word without any endings. 'Talk' is correct; 'talks,' 'talking,' and 'talked' are wrong in this position.
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