Cover of the textbook On Screen B1+/B2 - Student's Book

The key answer of exercise 8

The key to exercise solutions in chapter 6c - Grammar in use for the textbook On Screen B1+/B2 - Student's Book with authors Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley from Express Publishing

Question

  1. Read the examples in the theory table. Which is: a wish about the present / future? a wish / regret about the past? What words are used to introduce wishes? What tenses are used after these words?
  2. Read Anna's thoughts and write sentences, as in the example.

Answer

a)

  • I wish I had applied for the computer course. → wish / regret about the past → past perfect
  • If only you didn’t spend so much time on your PC. → wish about present / future → present simple
  • I wish I could create a webpage. → wish about present / future → past modal
  • If only I had bought that MP3 player. → wish / regret about the past → past perfect

We use 'I wish / If only' to introduce wishes.

b)

  1. I wish / If only I had bought the laptop.
  2. I wish I had known it was on special offer.
  3. If only my computer was more efficient.
  4. I wish its memory wasn’t low.
  5. If only I could get my work done quickly.