Wish/If Only....+ Money and Wealth
FOUNDATIONS_C1-C2
2/10/2026
Use: Desire to Change (Present, Ability, Past, Behaviour)
WARM UP
Think about your life right now and in the past.
Is there something you want to change?
Is the problem about money, ability, or people’s behaviour?
Is it about now, the past, or a habit?
Answer briefly.
VOCABULARY – MONEY & FINANCIAL PRESSURE
fund – money saved or provided for a purpose
unaffordable – too expensive to pay for
well-off – financially comfortable
withdraw – to take money out (from a bank or fund)
allowance – regular money given, often by family
support – financial or practical help
broke – having no money
take out a loan – borrow money formally
rip-off – something unfairly expensive
GRAMMAR – I WISH / IF ONLY
We use I wish / If only to express regret, frustration, or desire for change.
1. Past Simple → change a present situation
(wish ≠ reality now)
I wish I was more well-off.
If only rent wasn’t so unaffordable.
2. Past Continuous → change what is happening right now
I wish I wasn’t worrying about money.
If only I was earning more at the moment.
3. Could → change ability or possibility
I wish I could withdraw money from my fund.
If only I could take out a loan without interest.
4. Past Perfect → regret about the past
If only I had saved my allowance, I wouldn’t be broke now.
I wish I hadn’t taken out a loan for that rip-off course.
5. Would → frustration with other people’s behaviour
If only banks would support small businesses more.
I wish my parents would increase my allowance.
DIALOGUE – TALKING ABOUT MONEY REGRETS
Two adults discussing finances.
A: Rent is completely unaffordable.
B: I know. I wish I was more well-off.
A: Why didn’t you use your fund?
B: If only I hadn’t withdrawn it last year.
A: Can you take out a loan?
B: I wish I could, but the interest is a rip-off.
A: At least your family helps.
B: I wish they would support me more.
(Read once for meaning. Read again for structure.)
SHORT ARTICLE
Managing money as an adult is stressful.
Many people wish they were more well-off, especially when rent becomes unaffordable.
Some regret that they withdrew money from a fund too early.
Others wish they had saved their allowance instead of spending it.
When people are broke, they often take out a loan, even if it feels like a rip-off.
If only financial systems would support people better, fewer adults would struggle.
LANGUAGE SUPPORT
Present frustration
I wish I was / wasn’t …
If only things were …
Past regret
I wish I had / hadn’t …
If only I had known …
Ability
I wish I could …
If only it were possible to …
Other people
I wish they would …
If only the system would …
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Answer fully and naturally.
What do you wish was different about your financial situation?
Is there something you wish was more affordable?
Do you wish you were more well-off than you are now?
Is there money you wish you hadn’t withdrawn?
Do you wish you could take out a loan more easily?
Is there a purchase you regret because it was a rip-off?
Do you wish your allowance or income had been higher?
Who do you wish would support you more financially?
HOMEWORK (WRITE & RECORD)
Writing
Write 6 sentences:
1 with I wish + past simple
1 with If only + past continuous
1 with I wish I could
1 with If only + past perfect
2 using would (people or systems)
Recording
Read all sentences aloud.
Focus on stress and natural intonation.