WISH - IF

WISH :

• To express a regret about the present, we use wish + the past simple :
  • I don't play the piano.  I wish I played the piano.
  • Pedro doesn't speak English.  Pedro wishes he spoke English.

• When 'wish' if followed by the verb 'to be',  'were'  is used instead of 'was':
  • I don't have a lot of money.  I wish I were (not was) rich. 
  • I'm not very tall. I wish I were taller.

• To express a regret about the past, we use wish + the past perfect :
  • Julie lost her umbrella yesterday.  Julie wishes she hadn't lost her umbrella.
  • Alex didn't revise his grammar.  Alex wishes he had revised his grammar.

• To express a desire to change something, we use wish + would :
  • The children are making a lot of noise. I wish they would stop making noise.
  • The weather is awful.  I wish the weather would improve.

NOTE :  ‘I wish’ can be replaced with ‘if only’ which carries more emphasis.
◊  “If only you had told me in time!’ = “I wish you had told me in time.” 

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IF :

• After if, we often use were instead of was, especially in a formal style where it is considered more correct.
  
  • If I were rich, I would travel all over the world.
  • If  he were a better manager, the company would be more successful.
• We use the structure "if I were you " + would to give advice
  
  • If I were you I would take English lessons.