Wish/if only regrets

We use Wish and ‘If only’ when we talk about regrets – these are the things that we would like to change about the past or the present.

Usage:
There are three types of  I wish / if only  sentences:

1. Wish – wanting to change something about the present or future with the simple past.
2. Regret – used with the past perfect.
3. Complaints – used with would + verb.

Examples:

In expressing a wish:

• If only I knew how to use a smartphone.
• I wish I were a millionaire!

In expressing regret:

• If only I had gotten to work early.
• I wish I hadn’t eaten all that candy.

In expressing a complain:

• I wish you wouldn’t borrow my stuff without asking first.
• I wish you’d give up smoking soon.