EnglishMy home
Talk about your home
Describe your home. What do you like about it? What would you change?
My home now | I like... | I would change... |
|---|
Board prompt
I want a bigger kitchen. → I wish I had a bigger kitchen.
Words for renting and homes
Read the words aloud. Then use them to describe a real or imaginary home.
- flat [/flæt/]
- an apartment
My flat is near the station. - landlord [/ˈlændlɔːd/]
- the person who owns and rents out a property
The landlord repairs the boiler. - tenant [/ˈtenənt/]
- a person who rents and lives in a property
Each tenant has a key. - rent [/rent/]
- money paid regularly to live in a property; to pay to use a property
The rent is expensive. - deposit [/dɪˈpɒzɪt/]
- money paid before renting, often returned later
We paid a deposit. - furnished [/ˈfɜːnɪʃt/]
- containing furniture
It is a furnished flat. - spacious [/ˈspeɪʃəs/]
- large, with plenty of room
The living room is spacious. - cramped [/kræmpt/]
- too small and uncomfortable
Their kitchen feels cramped. - neighbourhood [/ˈneɪbəhʊd/]
- an area of a town or city where people live
It is a quiet neighbourhood. - suburb [/ˈsʌbɜːb/]
- an area outside the centre of a city
She lives in a suburb. - garden [/ˈɡɑːdən/]
- an area outside a house where plants grow
The house has a small garden. - balcony [/ˈbælkəni/]
- a small platform outside an upper-floor room
I drink coffee on the balcony. - utility bills [/juːˈtɪləti bɪlz/]
- payments for services such as gas, electricity, and water
Utility bills are included. - housemate [/ˈhaʊsmeɪt/]
- a person who lives in the same home as you
My housemate works from home.
Sort the words
Which words describe:
- space?
- people?
- money?
- place?
Wishes about now and the future
The main pattern
Real situation now | Wish |
|---|---|
I do not live in a bigger flat. | I wish I lived in a bigger flat. |
I do not have a garden. | If only I had a garden! |
I cannot move. | I wish I could move. |
I have to pay high rent. | I wish I didn’t have to pay so much rent. |
I wish + Past Simple → an unreal wish about now or the future
If only + Past Simple → the same meaning, but stronger
I wish + could + base verb → an unavailable ability or possibility
I wish + didn’t have to + base verb → an obligation you do not want
The verb looks past, but the meaning is present or future. It is not a past regret.
Compare the meaning
Sentence | Meaning now |
|---|---|
I wish I lived in a spacious flat. | I do not live in a spacious flat. |
If only I had a balcony! | I do not have a balcony, and I strongly want one. |
I wish I could move to the suburb. | I cannot move to the suburb now. |
I wish I didn’t have to pay a deposit. | I have to pay a deposit, and I dislike it. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
I wish I have a garden. | I wish I had a garden. |
If only I can move! | If only I could move! |
I wish I could moved. | I wish I could move. |
I wish I don’t have to pay rent. | I wish I didn’t have to pay rent. |
Make housing wishes
Connect each situation with its wish
Connect each real situation with the correct wish.
- My bedroom is very small.
- I wish my bedroom were more spacious.
- I cannot afford a house.
- I wish I could afford a house.
- I have to share a bathroom.
- I wish I didn’t have to share a bathroom.
Complete the sentence halves
Connect the beginnings and endings to make complete wishes.
- If only I
- had a balcony.
- I wish I could
- move to a quieter neighbourhood.
- I wish I didn’t have to
- pay such high utility bills.
Choose the accurate form
My flat has no garden. [___]
I cannot move this year. [___]
I wish I didn’t have to live so far from work. [___]
Complete each wish
I wish my living room [___] more spacious.
If only we [___] a garden for the children.
I wish I [___] to the suburb.
I wish I [___] a deposit.
A tenant's forum post
Things I wish were different about my flat
Posted by Lena
I rent a furnished flat in a busy neighbourhood near the city centre. The location is excellent because I can walk to work, and my landlord is usually helpful. However, the flat is cramped, especially the kitchen. I wish the living room were more spacious because I often work from home. If only I had a balcony! There is no outdoor space, and I miss sitting outside in summer. My rent is rising next month. I wish I didn’t have to spend so much money on rent and utility bills. I would like to move to a suburb one day, but I cannot afford it yet. I wish I could find a cheaper place with a small garden.
Discuss the post
- Where is Lena’s flat?
- Why does Lena want a more spacious living room?
- What outdoor feature does Lena wish she had?
- Why cannot Lena move to a suburb yet?
Difficult words
- city centre — the central part of a city
- cramped — too small and uncomfortable
- outdoor space — an area outside, such as a garden or balcony
- utility bills — payments for gas, electricity, water, and similar services
- rising — becoming higher or more expensive
- afford — have enough money to pay for something
- suburb — an area outside the centre of a city
What to remember
Key patterns
I wish + Past Simple→ an unreal wish about now or the future.If only + Past Simple→ a stronger unreal wish.I wish I could + base verb→ I cannot do it now.I wish I didn’t have to + base verb→ I have an obligation and dislike it.
Review the housing words
- Home: flat, furnished, spacious, cramped, balcony, garden
- People and place: landlord, tenant, neighbourhood, suburb, housemate
- Money: rent, deposit, utility bills
Say one short sentence using a word from each group. 🏠
Check the key ideas
Exit sentence
If only I ___, because ___.
