Wish / If only (I wish I were taller)
Wish dan If only digunakan untuk menyatakan penyesalan atau keinginan yang tidak sesuai kenyataan. Struktur ini digunakan untuk situasi yang tidak nyata di masa sekarang, masa lalu, atau masa depan. 'If only' memiliki makna yang lebih kuat atau emosional dibandingkan 'wish'.
Structure:
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| present unreal | wish / if only + past simple | I wish I had more money. |
| past regret | wish / if only + past perfect | She wishes she hadn’t missed the train. |
| future complaint / annoyance | wish / if only + would + base verb | I wish it would stop raining. |
Notes:
- Wish + past simple digunakan untuk menyatakan keinginan yang tidak nyata di masa sekarang: I wish I were taller.
- Wish + past perfect digunakan untuk menyatakan penyesalan tentang masa lalu: I wish I had studied.
- Wish + would digunakan untuk menyatakan keluhan atau harapan agar sesuatu berubah di masa depan: I wish you would be quiet.
- Setelah 'wish', kata kerja 'to be' → 'were' digunakan untuk semua subjek (I wish I were, bukan *was*).
- 'If only' bermakna lebih kuat daripada 'wish': If only I were rich!
- Jangan gunakan 'will' setelah 'wish': I wish he will come ❌ → I wish he would come ✔️.
Examples:
- I wish I were taller. (present unreal)
- She wishes she had studied harder. (past regret)
- They wish they could come to the party. (present unreal ability)
- If only I had told the truth. (past regret)
- If only it would stop raining. (future wish)
- He wishes he didn't have to work on weekends.
- If only I were rich!
- I wish it weren't so cold today.