Expressing Wishes and Regrets
There are several ways of expressing wishes and regrets in English.
1 Wish
We use the verb wish to express a desired change in a present or past situation.After wish,we use a backwards tense transformation of the main clause verb.
I havean old car.--> I wish I had a new car.
(present situation)
I met you last night.--> I wish I had met you sooner.
(past situation)
Wish is also used with would / wouldn't to express a desire for a change in someone's behavior.
My parents criticize me all the time!--> I wish they wouldn't criticize me./ I wish they would stop criticizing me.
You never listen to me.--> I wish you'd listen to me sometimes.
2 If only
Like wish,sentences with if only express a desire that a situation or behavioral pattern in the present or past was different.
I met you last night.--> If only I had met you sooner.
(past situation)
My boss never lets me speak at meetings.--> If only my boss would let me speak at meetings.
(present situation)
If (only) implies the use of the third conditional,with the effect clause often omitted
If (only) my boss would let me speak at meetings,I would be able to show my abilities.
3 The modal could
The modal could is used in the same way as would (with wish and if only),particularly when emphasizing the impossibility of the situation.
I wish I could have a new car.
4 Other modals:should / might
Other modals such as should and might can be used with wish / if only instead of would,to express regret about or criticism of a past situation.
I should have met you sooner.
If only we had been more open,we might have been happier.
Modals can also be used with verbs like love,like and hate to express a wish or regret in a simple and direct way.
She sounds very interesting.We would like to meet her.
I should love to spend an evening with him.
5 Regret
The verb regret + gerund is used to express sorrow at a past event.
I regret leaving my subordinates to deal with the crisis.
However,regret + infinitive expresses discomfort at a present situation.It is a formal structure,typically used to give bad news.
I regret to inform you that you have not met the standard required.