Wish + Past Perfect — Exercise 1 (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

Wish + past perfect is used to express regret about something that happened (or didn’t happen) in the past — something we can no longer change. This exercise practices both the affirmative and negative forms.

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Complete each sentence using the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Use wish + past perfect (e.g., had gone or hadn’t said).
Type the full verb phrase, including had or hadn’t.

Grammar review Wish + past perfect — expressing past regrets

Use wish + past perfect (had/hadn’t + past participle) to express regret about a past situation that cannot be changed.

Structure:
Subject + wish(es) + subject + had/hadn’t + past participle
“I wish I had studied harder.” (= I didn’t study hard enough — I regret it)
“She wishes she hadn’t said that.” (= She said it — she regrets it)

Affirmative wish (regret about NOT doing something):
“I wish I had taken that job.” (= I didn’t take it)

Negative wish (regret about DOING something):
“I wish I hadn’t eaten so much.” (= I ate too much)

Note: The contracted form hadn’t and the full form had not are both correct. In speaking, the contraction is far more common.

KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More wish / unreal past exercises:
Unreal past (wishes) 1 (C1/C2)
Second conditional 1 (B1/B2)
Third conditional 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed conditional tenses 1 (B1/B2)

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