I wish …・If only …

wish 和 If only：但願

I wish / If only — English grammar, senior high

接續

對現在：wish ＋過去式（were）・對過去：wish ＋ had ＋ p.p.・對未來或希望別人改變：wish ＋ would ＋原形

present: wish + past (were) · past: wish + had + p.p. · wanting change: wish + would + verb

說明

wish 表示「但願（但事實不是）」，時態要往過去退一步：I wish I were taller.（真希望我高一點。）I wish I had listened to you.（真希望我當時有聽你的。）If only 意思一樣，語氣更強。

wish means you'd like things to be different, so the tense moves back: I wish I were taller, I wish I had listened to you. If only means the same, more strongly.

注意事項

對可能實現的希望用 hope：I hope you feel better soon.（不用 wish）
For real possibilities use hope: I hope you feel better soon.

常見錯誤

✗ I wish I can speak French.
✓ I wish I could speak French.
wish 後面時態往過去退：could。
After wish, move back a tense: could.
✗ I wish you pass the exam.
✓ I hope you pass the exam.
有可能實現的希望用 hope。
A real hope takes hope.

例句

I wish I didn't have to work today.

真希望我今天不用上班。

If only I had brought an umbrella!

早知道就帶傘了！

I wish my neighbors would stop making noise.

真希望鄰居不要再吵了。

練習

在 Hanabiの小天地聽例句的錄音、做 3 題練習，答對 2/3 就算學會，進度會記下來。

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