We can use wish + subject + past simple to talk about things that we would like to be different in the present or future but which are very unlikely or not possible
👉 I wish things were different, but this is the way they are → Ojalá las cosas fueran diferente…
👉 We wish we had enough money to help you → Ojalá tuviéramos suficiente dinero…
👉 I wish I could be there for you tomorrow → Ojalá pudiera…
We can use wish + subject + past perfect to talk about things that happened in the past and that we regret (we would have wanted them to be different)
👉 I wish I hadn’t quit my job two years ago → Ojalá no hubiera dejado mi trabajo…
👉 I wish we hadn’t wasted all that money → Ojalá no hubiera malgastado...
👉 I wish she had accepted the offer → Ojalá hubiera aceptado…
We can use wish + person/thing + would + infinitive when we talk about something/someone that annoys us and we would like them to change, or to stop
👉 I wish you would stop biting your nails. I hate it when you do it!
👉 I wish it would stop raining. It’s been three days!
We CANNOT use this structure to wish about ourselves (do NOT use I wish I would). The two subjects have to be different.
We can use IF ONLY instead of wish with a very similar meaning. The only difference is that if only is more emphatic.
👉 If only I was/were a bit taller!* (Ojalá…)
👉 If only you had followed my advice. (Ojalá…)
👉 If only you would make a bit of an effort. You are wasting your life! (Ojalá…)
*Note that we can use were instead of was with I/he/she after I wish/if only.