If only

We use if only to express a strong wish that things could be different. It means the same as I wish but is stronger. We use it to talk about past, present and future unreal conditions.

We use if only + past verb forms to talk about a wish for the present:

If only he knew the truth. (he doesn’t know the truth, but he wishes he did)

Not: If only he knows the truth.

If only there was something she could do or say to help.

Not: If only there is something she could do or say to help.

We sometimes use were instead of was in more formal situations:

If only she weren’t so tired. (If only she wasn’t so tired.)

To talk about a wish for the future or to show a contrast between how things are and how we would like them to be, we use if only + would + infinitive without to:

If only someone would buy the house.

If only they would talk to each other.

We use if only + past perfect to talk about a wish to change something that has already happened:

If only he had listened to what his friends had been telling him. (He didn’t listen.)

If only Anna had been able to come. (Anna wasn’t able to come.)

See also:

Conditionals

If

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