Question

1) Rewrite the sentences below in two ways: using 'wish' and 'if only'. Make any necessary changes.

a) I dream of having my own place.

b) My sister can't afford a bigger house, but she really wants to.

c) I think that taking out a mortgage was a bad idea.

d) Our neighbours are terribly noisy.

e) I hate sharing the room, but I have to do it.

2) Read people's regrets and wishes. Rewrite them using 'I wish' and 'If only'.

a) Hi guys,

I don't have much money, but I'd like to do my place up a bit. Any suggestions how to do this?

b) I regret not paying the rent on time. I'm in debt now, and I can't pay the money back. Can someone help me find a job?

c) We moved in together two years ago, and it was a mistake. Our relationship suffered because of this, and now we're splitting up. I'd like to start all over again but my girlfriend is against it.

Answer 1

1.

a) I dream of having my own place.

If only I had my own place.

I wish I had my own place.

b) My sister can't afford a bigger house, but she really wants to.

If only my sister could afford a bigger house.

My sister wishes she coulf afford a bigger house

c)  I think that taking out a mortgage was a bad idea.

If only I hadn`t taken out a mortgage

I wish I hadn`t taken out a mortgage

d) Our neighbours are terribly noisy.

If only our neighbours weren`t terribly noisy

We wish our neighbours weren`t terribly noisy

e) I hate sharing the room, but I have to do it.

If only I hadn`t sharing the room.

I wish I hadn`t sharing the room.

2)

a) Hi guys. I wish I had much money. I`d like to do my place up a bit. Any suggestions how to do this?

b) If only I had paid the rent on time. I`m in debt now, and I can`t pay the money back. Can someone help me find a job?

c) We wish we hadn`t moved in together two years ago.  Our relationship suffered because of this, and now we're splitting up. I'd like to start all over again but my girlfriend is against it.