Hypotheticals
I'd love to be able to play the piano.
could
I wish/If only I could play the piano.
The company has decided to defer its graduate training scheme.
put
The company has decided to put its graduate training scheme on hold.
He was prevented....competing because of an injury.
prevented from
Her constant criticism of me really gets on my nerves.
stop
It's high time our employer listens to our grievances.
It's high time our employer listened...
it's a pity you didn't tell us you were leaving.
wish
I wish you had told us (that)you were leaving.
It took me a while to adapt to working from home but I have succeeded.
challenge
It took me a while to adapt to working from home but I have risen to the challenge.
She congratulated me....my promotion.
congratulated me on
I regret not going to university when I was younger.
gone
I wish I had gone to university when I was younger.
We really should go now.
went
It's about time/high time we went .
there's hope that this bad situation will improve.
tunnel
There's light at the end of the tunnel.
I have to deal ...... many different clients.
deal with
She would love to have more friends.
had
She wishes she had more friends.
Supposing I took out my own insurance cover,what did you do about it?
....what would you do..?
Unfortunately,I'm not as agile as I used to be.
only
If only I were/was as agile as I used to be.
I'm not going to book accommodation yet;I want to keep my options open.
bets
I'm not going to book accommodation yet;I 'm hedging my bets.
She admitted ..... having some difficulty.
admitted to
I'd prefer to spend my bonus on something frivolous.
rather
I'd rather spend my bonus on something frivolous.
If you only knew how much trouble you have caused!
correct
For greater emphasis we can put a subject between "If " and "only" in informal English.
Please don't let the dog sit in the front of the car.
I'd
I'd rather/sooner you didn't let the dog sit in the front of the car.
My plans have been spoiled.
thrown
My plans have been thrown into disarray.
They were determined..... try the new product.
determined to
Treat my home in the same way that you would treat your own.
though
Treat my home as though it was/were yours./your own.
It's about time I didn't stay at home;I am twenty-five after all!
It's about time I left home.