If only/ I wish past

We use wish and if only to talk about things that we would like to be different in either the present or the past. If only is usually a bit stronger than wish. 

Present

We can use wish/if only + a past form to talk about a present situation we would like to be different. 

After wish/ if only you get a subject + past simple

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I wish you didn't live so far away.

If only we knew what to do.

He wishes he could afford a holiday.

Past​

We can use wish/if only + a past perfect form to talk about something we would like to change about the past. 

After wish/if only you get a subject + past perfect (had + volt dlw).

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They wish they hadn't eaten so much chocolate. They're feeling very sick now.

If only I'd studied harder when I was at school. 

Expressing annoyance

We can use wish + would(n't) to show that we are annoyed with what someone or something does or doesn't do. We often feel that they are unlikely or unwilling to change.

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I wish you wouldn't borrow my clothes without asking.

I wish it would rain. The garden really needs some water.

She wishes he'd work less. They never spend any time together.