I wish I hadn't done that.

**Tdol** · 22-Oct-2003, 16:02

Why?

**RonBee** · 22-Oct-2003, 20:36

The person is expressing regrets. Both "if only" and "I wish" do that.

:)

**Casiopea** · 23-Oct-2003, 10:44

Originally Posted by tdol

Why?

If I hadn't've done that....
If only I hadn't've done that....
I wish I hadn't've done that.

All express one's desire, or hope.

Cas :D

**~~riverkid~~** · 18-Aug-2006, 03:56

'I wish' & 'If only' & 'If' with the right intonation.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If I hadn't've done that....
If only I hadn't've done that....
I wish I hadn't've done that.

Using the auxiliary 'have' in these structures adds more feeling.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

**Mad-ox** · 18-Aug-2006, 15:54

The first variant is correct. If only I knew all the aswers that my fellows ask me! have a nice day!

**chamour** · 04-Feb-2007, 23:09

it 's all the same some times , so what may be the difference?

**chamour** · 04-Feb-2007, 23:10

Originally Posted by chamour

it 's all the same some times , so what may be the difference?

**Tdol** · 05-Feb-2007, 10:30

If only expresses a regret.

**clipper** · 18-Jan-2009, 14:30

In "The Wizard of Oz" they use If I only had a brain. Notice that the subject I is before only. I haven't found a grammar rule for this. Is this variant correct?

**Torrance88** · 22-Feb-2009, 15:09

Originally Posted by clipper

In "The Wizard of Oz" they use If I only had a brain. Notice that the subject I is before only. I haven't found a grammar rule for this. Is this variant correct?

I feel this is indeed correct usage. "Only" can be placed before as well as after the subject in a question. It certainly is pretty obsolete/formal. If I'd write it, it'd feel more natural to write "If only I had a brain."

Poll: 'I wish' can be replaced in this example by....

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Thread: I wish I hadn't done that.

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