Expressing wishes and regrets with 'I wish' and 'if only

7.1 We often use I wish for things that might (still) happen:

I wish I knew the answer! (= it's possible I might find out the answer)

If only is stronger. We use it to express regret for things that can (now) never happen:

If only your mother were alive now! (Of course, / wish is also possible.)

 

7.2 We may use the simple past of be after wish and if only

I wish I was on holiday now. If only Tessa was here now!

If we want to be more formal, we use were in all persons

I wish I were on holiday now. If only Tessa were here!

7.3 We may use the past perfect of be for things that can never happen:

I wish I had been on holiday last week. If only Tessa had been here yesterday!

7.4 We use the past or past perfect forms of other verbs:

I wish I knew the answer to your question.

I wish I had known then what I know now!

8. 'Would' and 'could' after 'I wish' and 'if only'

We must use could, not would, after /and we. Compare:

I can't swim.                         →     I wish I could swim.

We weren't together!             →     I wish we could have been together

We sometimes use / wish you (he. she. etc.)  would(n't) like an imperative:

(I am making a lot of noise! ) →     I wish you wouldn't make so much noise!

(He is making a lot of noise! ) →      I wish he would be quiet!

9. 'It's (high) time' and 'It's (about) time'

We use It's time, It's high time and it’s about time to express present or future wishes, or to express our impatience about things that haven't happened yet:

Kim can't even boil an egg. - I know.

It's time/high time/about time she learnt to cook!

 

10. Expressing personal preference with 'I'd rather/ I'd sooner'

We use would rather and would sooner to express preference.

We can refer to the present or the future:

I'd rather/I'd sooner be a builder than an architect.

Or we can refer to the past:

If I could choose again, I'd rather/sooner have been a builder than an architect.

Expressing preferences about other people's actions

11.1 We can refer to other people after I'd rather or I'd sooner.

I'd rather leave on an earlier train. (= I'm referring to myself)

I'd rather Jackleft  on an earlier train. ( I want him to leave)

11.2 We use the past tense form after I'd rather to refer to the present or future.

I'd rather be happy. I'd rather not sit  next to her. (= for myself)

I'd rather she were/was happy. (= now)

I'd rather she didn't sit next to me. (= now)

11.3 We use the past perfect form after I'd rather to refer to past time.

I'd rather have been present. (= then - I'm referring to myself)

I'd rather you had been present, (then)

I'd rather you hadn't told me about it. (then)

12. 'I'd rather he didn't'

We generally omit the main part of the verb in short responses:

12.1 negative responses:

Frank is going to buy a motorbike. - I'd rather he didn't.

I′ ve told everyone about it. - I'd rather you hadn't.

12.2 affirmative responses:

Frank won't give up his present job. - I'd rather he did.

I haven't told anyone about it. - I'd rather you had.

12.3 We do not have to repeat the main verb in a complete sentence:

You always go without me and I'd rather you didn't.

 

 

Vocabulary

Ecology and environment. Problems of big cities.

Study the important vocabulary:

 

1. The weather:  

Cold weather: the chilly days of autumn, cold days of winter, frosts, icy roads, sleet rain and snow, severe blizzards, snowdrifts, freezing weather, the ground thaws, ice melts.

Warm/hot weather: close, stifling, humid, scorching, boiling, mild, heatwave

Wet weather: damp, drizzle, shower, pour down / downpour, storm, thunderstorm, torrential rain, flood; haze/hazy, mist/misty, fog/foggy, smog

Wind: gentle breeze, good wind, blustery day, gale warning, hurricane

2. The Natural World:

Animals: species, reptile, dinosaur, bird, fish, gills, mammal, nest, wing, tail, claws, paw, hoof; Flowers and trees: pollen, leaves, branch, trunk, roots, bark; Names of trees: oak, fir, evergreen pine, birch; Verbs: to flower/blossom, extinct, hibernate, thrive, pick flowers, plant, fertilize, harvest crops.

3. The environment:

Brook, stream, river; hillock, hill, mountain; cove, bay, gulf; copse, wood, forest; puddle, pond, lake; footpath, lane, road

Where land meets sea: coast, shore, beach, estuary, cliff, cape, peninsula;

Words connected with rivers: source, tributary, waterfall, mouth, valley, gorge; Words connected with mountains: foot, ridge, peak, summit, glacier;

4. Environmental problems:

air, river and sea pollution; overfishing, the greenhouse effect, the destruction of the ozone layer, the destruction of the rainforests, battery farming, waste disposal, rubbish, re-cycling

We should: avoid spray cans, practice organic farming, use unleaded petrol, recycle paper and bottle banks

Problems: overpopulation, unemployment, famine, ignorance, diseases

Раздел: Задания для самостоятельной работы

Grammar

 

1. I finished digging in half an hour but I felt as if I ____ for hours.

worked

had worked

work

have worked

 

2. It’s time we ____ our parents. We ____ them for ____ long time.

visited, haven’t visited, such    

have visited, didn’t see, so

had visited, hadn’t seen, a very

visited, haven’t seen, such a

 

3. If I had known that he needed money, I ____ him some. I had ____ dollars to spare.

would have borrowed, some        

might give, few

would give, a little           

would have lent, a few

 

4. His gesture ____ impatience. He looked as if he ____ for hours.

indicated, is waiting         

offered, had waited

suggested, had been waiting

showed, waited

 

5. He had written his address down the last morning, she remembered, and said that if she ____ to Paris he ____ happy to see her again.

had ever come, will feel

comes, will be

would come, may be

ever came, would be

 

6. Minnie had a gift for mathematics and probably could get ____ teaching in the department if she ____ it upon graduation.

a job, wanted

work, will have wanted

job, wished

a position, wants

 

7. He stood stiff and impotent with anger. She stared into the mirror as if he ____.

doesn’t exist

didn’t exist

hadn’t existed

won’t exist

 

 

8. If only we ____ a phone! I’m tired of queueing outside the public phone box.

had had

had

have had

can have

 

9. He said that if the war ____ he would have to leave the country at once.

breaks out

broken out

broke out

will break out

 

10. Then he said: " If this man ____, the whole dirty story will come out, and I don’t want it ____.”

will be arrested, come out

is arrested, to come out

will arrest, coming out

is being arrested, to come out

 

11. “There are ____ institutions, of course, but it’s not very easy to get into them unless you ____ influential friends."

charitable, haven’t got

charity’s, have got

charity, don’t have

charity, have

 

12. “If nothing ____, said she, beaming at them, we shall be back in England for ____ Christmas.”

will happen, -

happened, a

happens, -

will have happened, the

 

13. At ____ dawn she looked weak and pale, as though she ____ up all night.

-, had been

the, were

a, was

-, has been

 

14. They all acted as if they ____ at a family reunion, as if they ____ each other in years.

had been, didn’t see

were, hadn’t seen

were, haven’t seen

have been, hadn’t seen

 

15. I realized that if they ____ their heads, they ____ my pale face looking at them over the pile of suitcases.

had turned, can see

turned, would be able to see

will turn, will see

have turned, would see

 

16. “I have some work that ____ be finished before I ____ on my holiday.”

would, will go away

ought, am away

should, will get away

must, get away

 

17. If Martin ____ her ____ that way he ____ have taken offence.

hears, speaking, can

had heard, speak, would

heard, to speak, might

had heard, speak, must

 

18. They took care of her as though they ____ her parents.

are

were

had been

have been

 

19. I ____ to help if I ____ I would be any use.     

would suggest, thought   

will propose, could have thought

might suggest, could think           

would offer, thought

 

20. It was long ____ I had last seen her and if someone had not mentioned her name I ____ her.

since, mustn’t have recognized

from, shouldn’t recognize

since, wouldn’t have recognized

while, couldn’t have recognized

 

21. It’s high time you ____ in ____ bed too, my child.

are, -

must be, the

were, -

should be, a

 

22. If I hadn’t been there something very unpleasant ____ to him.

could happen

might have happened

was to happen

must have happened

 

23. If he ____ at once he might have saved us a lot of trouble.

were sent for

is sent for

had been sent for

will be sent for

 

24. I could not imagine ____ wishing to spend three months there; unless it ____ somebody who wanted to hide.

none, was

someone, was not

people, were not

anyone, was

 

25. He looked at me as if he ____ what they had on their minds.

is wondering

has been wondering

were wondering

had been wondered

 

26. I wished that Thomas ____ me there.

has not brought

had not brought

does not bring

was not brought

 

27. “But we ____ in conference for two hours, ” he said. “It’s high time ____ a tea break.”

are, having had

were, we have

have been being, to have

have been, we had

 

28. If John ____ to see a dentist, let him ____ toothache.

is refusing, to suffer

refuses, suffer

refused, suffering

will refuse, suffering

 

29. “You had better ____ home. You’re likely to get into trouble if you ____ here.”

go, stay

to go, have stayed

hurry, will stay

to hurry, are staying

 

30. If we ____ waterproof coats it ____ pleasant enough to drive in that spring rain.

had had, would have been

have had, would be

shall have, is

are having, will be

 

31. He wondered a little ruefully just what Dad ____ if he ____ about his relations with Jan.

would say, knew

might say, had known

would have said, learns

should say, has learned

 

 

32. And then he saw that Doreen ____, and he felt as though someone ____ him in the stomach.

was crying, has kicked

had been cried, kicked

had been crying, had kicked

cried, had been kicked

 

33. She scarcely seemed ____ what they were saying. It was as though it ____ her.

hearing, did not concern

to hear, did not concern

listening, was not concerning

to understand, had not concerned

 

34. She remembered as though it ____ only yesterday the first time she ____ them.

were, was meeting

was, has met

has been, met

had been, had met

35. What would you say if the question _  clear and the people ___  still ______ it?

 

1) will be, are... discussing

2) were, were... discussing

3) has been, would... discuss

4) was, will... discuss

36. If you ________   away with him, go at once, but don't ask me       him.

1) will go, to meet

2) will be going, to have met

3) are going, to meet

4) have gone, to be meeting

37. I'm not a poet. But if I __  poems I ____  dedicate them to you.

1) would, will

2) can, shall

3) could, would

4) can, would

38. If I ___  you then, what ____  you have done?

1) didn't help, would

2) hadn't helped, would

3) didn't, will

4) haven't helped, will

39. I wish I ___    ____  poet to describe it to you.

1) were, a

2) am, a

3) had been, the

4) was, the

40. I'm tired. It's high time you __  and_____ me in peace.

1) go, leave

2) have gone, have left

3) would have gone, leave

4) went, left

41. Why ___ that pie last night? I wish I ____  that pie last night.

1) did I eat, had eaten

2) did I eat, hadn't eaten

3) have I eaten, hadn't eaten

4) did I eat, didn't eat

42. If she ___  he was going to be angry about it, she ___  that.

1) knew, won't do

2) knows, wouldn't do

3) had known, wouldn't have done

4) would know, have done

43. You wouldn't be so tired today if you __  to bed when I told you to. Something should be done to help you.

1) had gone

2) go

3) went

4) would go

44. If you _____  your medicine yesterday, you ___  today.

1) had taken, would be well

2) took, would be better

3) take, will be good

4) have taken, would have been well

45. If he _____  such bad writing, I ___  these letters.

1) didn't have, can have read

2) didn't have, could read

3) hadn't had, can read

4) didn't have, could have read

46. Why didn't I ask her out? If only I ___  her out! Everything ____  .

1) ask, will change

2) asked, would change

3) had asked, would have changed

4) would ask, had changed

47. If I ____  overseas instead of him, I ___  something and ____  somebody.

1) would go, earnt, were

2) would have gone, have learnt, been

3) had gone, might have learnt, been

4) went, may learn, be

48. If she ____  with him at this moment, the doubt and loneliness __  evaporate. But he was alone.

1) was, will

2) were, would

3) have been, would

4) had been, would have

49. I wish I ___ never _____  you the truth, but it is no use ____  it.

1) had, told, denying

2) —, told, denying

3) have, told, to deny

4) —, tell, to deny

50. It was as if she ___  a physical blow and ___ on her feet.

1) received, is rocking

2) receives, was rocking

3) has received, has been rocking

4) had received, were rocking

51. He repeated the name as if he _  it before. It's high time you ___  him everything.

1) did never hear, have said

2) has never heard, tell to

3) had never heard, told

4) never heard, had talked

52. I shall go there provided you __  to accompany me. It's high time you ____ rything.

1) would consent, are knowing

2) will consent, have known

3) would have consented, know

4) consent, knew

53. If he _____  your remark, he ___    offence. And what's more, I've just told you that talking mends no holes.

1) had heard, would take

2) heard, would take

3) have heard, would have taken

4) had heard, would have taken

54. He speaks as if he ____  the subject very well.

1) had known

2) is knowing

3) has known

4) knew

55. If I ____ you, I _____ my facts before I wrote that letter.

1) were, would have checked

2) were, would check

3) am, will check

4) had been, would check

56. If I _____ a spare ticket tonight I ____ you to the concert.

1) will have, will take

2) had, would take

3) will have had, can take

4) had had, could take

57. If the snake bite ____  poisonous, you ____  very bad now.

1) was, will feel

2) had been, are feeling

3) were, would have felt

4) had been, would feel

58. If she ____     some lessons, she _____  her performance.

1) can have, might improve

2) could have, might improve

3) could have had, may improve

4) could have, might to improve

 

59. He'll be very upset if you __  his offer to help. You'd better ___  more attentive to him.

1) will turn away, being

2) will be turning from, have been

3) turn down, be

4) have turned against, to be

60. ____  less busy that very evening he ___  her to the party and this terrible accident.

1) If had he been, would have accompanied, might not take place

2) Had he been, would have accompanied, might not have taken place

3) Had he been, would accompany, might not have taken place

4) If he had been, would accompany, might not take place

61. If they ____  here, I ____  so glad, as they ____ everything to me.

1) would be, were, would explain

2) were, should be, explained

3) would be, were, explained

4) were, should be, would explain

62. If _____ that you ____  he ____ very glad.

1) I had told him, would come, would have been

2) had I told him, would come, had been

3) I told him, would have come, would have been

4) I should tell him, would come, had been

63. If you _____ us then, all the differences might___.

1) supported, be settled

2) had supported, have been settled

3) have supported, have settled

4) were supporting, have been settled

64. If you ___ Dr. Smith earlier, you___ ill now.

1) consult, will be

2) didn't consult, can be

3) had consulted, wouldn't be

4) have consulted, won't be

65. If we ____ the question at that meeting, our demands__.

1) had raised, would have been met

2) raised, would meet

3) rise, would be met

4) have raised, won't be met

66. If it ____ dark, we____ our way.

1) is, would have lost

2) hadn' t been, might not have lost

3) wasn't, can have lost

4) were, will lose

 

67. I wish you____ rude remarks about me.

1) make

2) are not making

3) wouldn't make

4) hadn't made

68. He looked at his sister as if he ___ anything like her.

1) didn't ever seen

2) has never seen

3) can't see

4) had never seen

 

69. The exams ____. It's time we___ down to work.

1) are coming, got

2) come, get

3) will come, are getting

4) have come, are

70. I wish more people in the office ___ your sense of humour, Jack.

1) have

2) can have

3) will have

4) had

Vocabulary

 

Find the right word.

During the storm, the climbers sheltered in a cave/cliff/valley.

The fields were flooded after the river burst its banks/edges/sides.

In the middle of the square there is an old fountain/source/tap.

After the rain the street was full of floods/lakes/puddles.

A small river/stream/torrent runs across the bottom of our garden.

You must carry a lot of water when you cross the desert/plain/sand.

From the peak/summit/top of the hill you can see the sea.

It was difficult to swim because the waters/waves/tides were so high.

I think it's going to rain. It's very clouded/clouding/cloudy.

 The church caught fire when it was struck by hurricane/lightning/thunder.

 

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