Class 11 Compulsory English unit 12 USE OF “I WISH / IF ONLY”

 Class 11 Compulsory English unit 12

USE OF “I WISH / IF ONLY”

We use I wish / If only to express:

1. Present regrets (something that is not true now)

2. Past regrets (something that did not happen)

3. Wishes about future / desires

4. Complaints / annoyance

---

1. WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT (unreal present)

Structure:
I wish / If only + past simple

Used when we want the present situation to be different.

Examples:

1.      I wish I had a car.
(मसँग कार भए हुन्थ्यो। तर छैन।)

2.      If only I knew the answer!
(म उत्तर जान्थेँ भने राम्रो हुन्थ्यो। तर जान्दिन।)

3.      I wish she were here.
(उनी यहाँ भए हुन्थ्यो।)

4.      I wish I were taller.
(म अलि अग्लो भए हुन्थेँ।)

---

2. WISHES ABOUT THE PAST (unreal past)

Structure:
I wish / If only + past perfect

Used for regrets about something that already happened.

Examples:

1.      I wish I had studied harder.
(मैले राम्रोसँग पढेको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

2.      If only he had told me the truth.
(उले मलाई सत्य भनेको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

3.      I wish we had left earlier.
(हामी पहिल्यै निस्किएको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

---

3. WISHES ABOUT THE FUTURE (desires / hopes)

Structure:
I wish / If only + would + V1

Used to express something we want to happen in the future OR someone’s annoying habit.

Examples:

1.      I wish it would stop raining.
(पानी पर्न बन्द भए हुन्थ्यो।)

2.      If only he would listen to me.
(उले मलाई सुनेको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

3.      I wish she would call me.
(उनीले मलाई फोन गरेको भए राम्रो हुन्थ्यो।)

---

4. COMPLAINTS / ANNOYANCE

Structure:
I wish / If only + would

Used when someone's behavior annoys you.

Examples:

1.      I wish you would stop shouting!
(तिमी चिच्याउन रोकेको भए हुन्थ्यो!)

2.      If only they would come on time!
(उनीहरू समयमै आएको भए हुन्थ्यो!)

3.      I wish he would not smoke here.
(उले यहाँ धूम्रपान नगरेको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

---

Summary Table

Situation	Structure	Example	Nepali Meaning
Present regret	wish + past simple	I wish I knew.	म जान्थेँ भने।
Past regret	wish + past perfect	I wish I had gone.	म गएको भए हुन्थ्यो।
Future wish	wish + would	I wish it would rain.	पानी परेको भए हुन्थ्यो।
Annoyance	wish + would	I wish you would listen.	तिमीले सुनेको भए।

 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “I WISH” AND “IF ONLY”

1. Meaning

Both I wish and If only express regret, desire, or complaint.

But:

“If only” is stronger and more emotional.

➡It shows a stronger feeling, stronger regret, or stronger desire.

“I wish” is softer and more common.

➡Used in everyday situations.

---

Emotional Strength

Form	Emotion Level	Usage
I wish	Normal	Regular wishes or regrets
If only	Strong	Deep regret, sadness, or strong desire

---

3. Examples (with Nepali meanings)

Present Situation (Wish + Past Simple)

I wish

·         I wish I had more money.
(मसँग धेरै पैसा भए हुन्थ्यो।)

If only (stronger)

·         If only I had more money!
(काश! मसँग धेरै पैसा भए हुन्थ्यो!)

---

Past Regrets (Wish + Past Perfect)

I wish

·         I wish I had studied harder.
(मैले कडा मेहनत गरेको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

If only (strong regret)

·         If only I had studied harder!
(काश! मैले अझ कडा पढेको भए!)
→ Stronger sadness/regret.

---

Future Desires / Complaints (Wish + Would)

I wish

·         I wish it would stop raining.
(पानी पर्न रोकिएको भए हुन्थ्यो।)

If only

·         If only it would stop raining!
(काश! पानी पर्न रोकिएको भए!)

---

Quick Summary

Aspect	I wish	If only
Emotion	normal	much stronger
Usage	daily use	deep regret, strong desire
Structure	same as “If only”	same structure but stronger tone
Formality	neutral	more dramatic / emotional

---

4. Can we use both for the same meaning?

YES!
Grammatically, structures are the same.
Difference is only emotional strength.

Example:

·         I wish I were at home.

·         If only I were at home!
➡️ Both correct, second is stronger.