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Conditionals
Quick rule
wish + past simple = present regret. wish + past perfect = past regret. wish + would = annoyance at someone else's habit.
I wish I spoke better German — meetings would be easier.
If only we'd booked the earlier flight.
I wish he wouldn't leave everything to the last minute.
Common mistake
✗ I wish I would have studied medicine. → ✓ I wish I had studied medicine.
Short practice
Regret now: 'I don't have a car.' → I wish I had a car.
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