Choose the appropriate option to convert the given exclamatory sentence into Assertive form.
If only I were young again!
A. I wish I were young again.
B. I wish I am young again.
C. I again wish to become young.
D. I was young again to wish.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A only
"If only" to "I wish":
- "If only ...!" expresses a wish about something unreal in the present. In the assertive form it becomes "I wish ...".
- A wish about an unreal present takes the past subjunctive: "were" for every person (I were, he were).
- This sentence: "If only I were young again!" → "I wish I were young again."
Example: If only I were rich! → I wish I were rich.
(A) I wish I were young again. — Correct.
- "I wish" with the subjunctive "were" keeps the meaning of the exclamation.
(B) I wish I am young again. — Incorrect.
- A wish about an unreal present cannot take the present tense "am".
(C) I again wish to become young. — Incorrect.
- It changes the meaning: "again" now goes with "wish", as if the wish were being repeated.
(D) I was young again to wish. — Incorrect.
- The sentence is meaningless.
- It states a past fact and loses the wish.
Tip: In this question the options do not follow the order of the statements (Option 1 = B only, Option 2 = A only, Option 3 = C only, Option 4 = D only). NTA often jumbles the options in this way, so after finding the correct statement, read the options carefully and mark the one with the right letter.