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 practises both the affirmative and negative forms.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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)
Browse all grammar exercises →
