Unreal uses of past tenses

Unreal uses of past tenses

Past tenses

-Past simple (did)

-Past Perfect (had + past participle)

1. Wish

wish + past simple

wish + past perfect

Wish + past simple

• We use it to talk about things we would like to be different in the present / future (but which are impossible or unlikely).

• It's a difficult problem. I wish I knew the answer to it!

Wish + past perfect

• We talk about things that happened / didn’t happen in the past and that we now regret.

• I wish I hadn’t spoken to Jane like that — you know how sensitive she is.

Quiz time!

Answer in your phone

Open Ended

I wish I ________ Gary that money now. Who knows when he’ll pay me back?

(not lend)

Open Ended

I wish you__________to stay a little longer — we're

having such a good time!

(can)

2. If only

If only + past simple

If only + past perfect

If only

• Works exactly like 'wish', but it's more emphatic on the desire:

• If only I knew the answer!

• If only you hadn’t forgotten the map, we'd be there by now.

Quiz time!

Answer in your phone

Open Ended

If only I__________a little more when I was earning a

regular salary, I wouldn't be so hard up now.

(save)

Open Ended

If only we__________the name of the store, we could

Google it and see where it is.

(know)

3. Would rather -> 'd rather

(it has the same meaning as 'would prefer')

I'd rather + bare infinitive (without to)

I'd rather + subject + past tense

I'd rather + bare infinitive

• We use this structure to express a personal preference:

• I'd rather not talk about it.

• I'd rather go on my own - thanks!

I'd rather + subject + past simple

• Here we express a preference over another peson. It's important to know that the subjects don't macth:

• I'd rather you stayed at home.

• We'd rather she didn't say anything about it.

Quiz time!

Answer in your phone

Open Ended

I'd rather you__________me in cash, if you don't mind.

(pay)

Open Ended

Would you rather we__________the subject now?

(not discuss)

Open Ended

I'd rather ________ yoga than pilates.

(do)

4. It's time

It's time + infinitive

It's (high) time + subject + past simple

it's time + infinitive

• We use it to indicate that an action has to be done by this moment, without specifying the subject:

• It's time to go home!

• It's time to start the class.

It's (high) time + subject + past simple

• Works similarly, but here we indicate the subject.

• It's time we left!

• It's high time she went home!

Quiz time!

Answer in your phone

Open Ended

It's time the government__________that interest rates

are far too high

(realize)

Open Ended

I think it’s high time the company__________expecting us to

put in so much overtime for no extra pay.

(stop)

Have you got any questions?