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Unreal tenses
The document discusses several structures using past tenses to express different meanings and situations. It explains that "wish + past simple" is used to talk about things in the present/future that are impossible or unlikely. "Wish + past perfect" expresses regret about past events or actions. "Would rather + subject + past tense" indicates preference. And "It's time + subject + past tense" means that something needs to be done now or soon. Examples are provided for each structure.
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Unreal tenses
- 1. 3C Unreal uses of past tenses
- 2. WISH + PAST SIMPLE 2
- 3. We use wish + past simple to talk about things we would like to be different in the present/ future (but which are impossible or unlikely). 3
- 4. It’s a difficult problem. I wish I knew the answer to it! We sometimes use that after wish, e.g. I wish that I knew the answer. 4
- 5. WISH + PAST PERFECT 5
- 6. We use wish + past perfect to talk about things which happened/didn’t happen in the past and which we now regret.
- 7. I wish I hadn't spoken to Jane like that! You know how sensitive she is. 7
- 8. You can also use If only… instead of wish with the past simple and past perfect. This can be used by itself (If only I knew!) or with another clause. 8
- 9. If only I knew the answer! If only you hadn’t forgotten the map, we’d be there by now. If only is more emphatic than wish.
- 10. ! When we want to talk about things we want to happen or stop happening because they annoy us, we use wish or If only + person/thing + would + infinitive,
- 11. I wish the bus would come! If only he wouldn’t keep whistling when I’m working! 11
- 12. WOULD RATHER + SUBJECT+ PAST TENSE 12
- 13. We use would rather + subject + past tense to express a preference.
- 14. I’d rather you left your dog outside – I’m allergic to animals. Are you sure this is a good time to talk? Would you rather I called back later? 14
- 15. We can also use would rather + infinitive without to when there is no change of subject, e.g. I’d rather not talk about it.
- 16. ! We cannot use this structure when the subject changes after would rather, e.g. I’d rather you didn’t talk about it. NOT I’d rather you not talk about it. 16
- 17. IT’S TIME + SUBJECT + PAST TENSE 17
- 18. We use It’s time + subject + past tense to say that something has to be done now or in the near future. We sometimes use high before time for emphasis.
- 19. Don’t you think it’s time you found a job? It’s six months since you finished university! It’s (high) time the government did something about unemployment. 19