English grammar
Past regrets: if only + past perfect; regret (not) + -ing / (not) having + participle
Express regret about the past with if only and regret (not) -ing.
From the scene If only I'd written to you
In short
For past regrets, use if only + past perfect, or regret (not) + -ing. Not having + participle stresses it's over.
Your turn
Which one goes with the same, about other people?
Options: I regret not going to Medellín · if only they'd sorted it out · if only I'd answered you
Show answer
the same, about other people → if only they'd sorted it out
How it works
You know if only + past simple for the present. For the past, use if only + past perfect: if only I'd answered you (but I didn't).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
"If only I'd written to you again. If only I'd (blank) to find you."
Options: gone · went · going
Show answer
"If only I'd written to you again. If only I'd gone to find you."
"Ojalá te hubiera escrito otra vez. Ojalá hubiera ido a buscarte."
Good to know
Regret takes an -ing form, and the negative goes in front of it: I regret not going.
Good to know
Not having + participle stresses that the action is over: she regrets not having answered.
wishing the past were different if only I'd answered you
Javi
Grandma is saying: "If only I'd answered you."
La abuela está diciendo: "Ojalá te hubiera contestado."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Grandma is saying: "(blank)."
Options: If only I'd answered you · If only they'd sorted it out · I regret not going to Medellín
Show answer
Javi
Grandma is saying: "If only I'd answered you."
La abuela está diciendo: "Ojalá te hubiera contestado."
the same, about other people if only they'd sorted it out
Nuria
Oh, they're both crying. If only they'd sorted it out sixty years ago.
Ay, están llorando las dos. Ojalá lo hubieran arreglado hace sesenta años.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Oh, they're both crying. (blank) sixty years ago.
Options: I regret not going to Medellín · If only they'd sorted it out · If only I'd answered you
Show answer
Nuria
Oh, they're both crying. If only they'd sorted it out sixty years ago.
Ay, están llorando las dos. Ojalá lo hubieran arreglado hace sesenta años.
regret + not + -ing I regret not going to Medellín
Elena
I regret not going to Medellín back then.
Me arrepiento de no haber ido a Medellín entonces.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) back then.
Options: If only I'd answered you · If only they'd sorted it out · I regret not going to Medellín
Show answer
Elena
I regret not going to Medellín back then.
Me arrepiento de no haber ido a Medellín entonces.
regret + not having + participle (more formal) she regrets not having answered
Elena
That was why, dear. And she regrets not having answered a single letter.
Para eso, cariño. Y ella se arrepiente de no haber contestado ni una sola carta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That was why, dear. And (blank) a single letter.
Options: if only they'd sorted it out · she regrets not having answered · if only I'd answered you
Show answer
Elena
That was why, dear. And she regrets not having answered a single letter.
Para eso, cariño. Y ella se arrepiente de no haber contestado ni una sola carta.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| wishing the past were different | if only I'd answered you |
|---|---|
| the same, about other people | if only they'd sorted it out |
| regret + not + -ing | I regret not going to Medellín |
| regret + not having + participle (more formal) | she regrets not having answered |
More lines from the story
- Javi"If only I'd written to you again. If only I'd gone to find you.""Ojalá te hubiera escrito otra vez. Ojalá hubiera ido a buscarte."
- ElenaLetters, my foot! She asked me for the wifi password.¡Qué cartas, hijo! Me ha pedido la contraseña del wifi.