Wish, if only y would rather

Estructuras

• wish + past simple

  Deseo sobre el presente: la realidad es la contraria. Con I, he, she e it vale were (más formal) o was.

  • I wish I knew the answer.
  • She wishes she didn't have to work on Saturdays.
  • I wish I were taller.
• wish + could

  Deseo sobre una capacidad que no tienes.

  • I wish I could speak Italian.
• wish + past perfect

  Arrepentimiento sobre el pasado.

  • I wish I had listened to your advice.
• wish + would

  Queja o deseo de que otra persona o algo cambie.

  • I wish my neighbours would turn the music down.
  • I wish it would stop raining.
• if only

  Igual que wish, pero más intenso.

  • If only I had saved some money last year.
• would rather + infinitivo sin to

  Preferencia del sujeto sobre lo que hace él mismo.

  • I'd rather stay in tonight.
  • I'd rather walk than take the bus.
• would rather + otro sujeto + past simple

  Preferencia sobre lo que hace otra persona. Presente o futuro: past simple. Pasado: past perfect.

  • I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about this.
  • I'd rather you hadn't told anyone.
• it's (high) time + sujeto + past simple

  Ya debería pasar algo.

  • It's high time you got a job.

Cómo resolverlo

Antes de escribir, piensa qué es verdad en la realidad. Si la frase dice que algo no pasa ahora, el deseo va en past simple; si dice que algo no pasó, va en past perfect. Con wish e if only, comprueba que has cambiado el afirmativo por el negativo, o al revés; con would rather e it's time el sentido se mantiene. Comprueba también que la palabra clave sigue igual.

Dónde aparece en el examen

• Parte 4: It's a pity I can't drive → I wish I could drive.
• Parte 4: I regret not going to the party → I wish I had gone to the party.
• Parte 4: I'd prefer you not to smoke here → I'd rather you didn't smoke here.
• Parte 2: faltan palabras como wish, only, rather, had, would o than.

Trampas típicas

• Da un paso atrás en el tiempo: el presente pasa a past simple y el pasado, a past perfect.
• El afirmativo y el negativo se invierten respecto a la realidad: I can't swim → I wish I could swim.
• Wish + would no se usa con el mismo sujeto: no digas I wish I would; di I wish I could o I wish I had.
• Would rather no lleva to: I'd rather go. En cambio, would prefer sí: I'd prefer to go.
• Para desear algo posible en el futuro se usa hope, no wish: I hope you pass.