151 Unreal pasts and subjunctives

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms. It's just struck midnight. It's high time we (leave)! If only we (have) a phone! I'm tired of queuing outside the public phone box. You (have) better take off your wet shoes. He walks as if he (have) a wooden leg. He talks as if he (do) all the work himself, but in fact Tom and I did most of it. Father: I've supported you all through university. Now I think it's time you (begin) to support yourself. 7 I wish I (know) what is wrong with my car. 8 It looks like rain; you (have) better take a coat. 9 I wish I (ask) the fishmonger to clean these fish. (I'm sorry I didn't ask him.) 10 It's time we (do) something to stop road accidents. 11 The cheese looks as if rats (nibble) it. 12 It's high time they (mend) this road. 13 He always talks as though he (address) a public meeting. 14 He treats us as if we (be) all idiots. 15 Wife: I'd like to get a job. Husband: I'd much rather you (stay) at home and (look) after the house. 1 2 3 4 5 6 16 If you (tie) the boat up it wouldn't have drifted away. 17 I wish you (not give) him my phone number. (I'm sorry you gave it to him.) 18 If only he (know) then that the disease was curable! 19 Suppose you (not know) where your next meal was coming from? 20 You talk as though it (be) a small thing to leave your country for ever. 21 I hate driving. I'd much rather you (drive). 22 If only I (be) insured! 'But I wasn 't insured.) 23 If you (not take) those photographs we wouldn't have been arrested. 24 I wish transistor radios never (be) invented. 25 If only I (keep) my mouth shut! (7 said something which made matters much worse.) 26 I'll pay you by cheque monthly. ~ I'd rather you (pay) me cash weekly.

Grammar: hypothetical meaning

Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with a form of the verbs in brackets. In some of the sentences there is more than one possibility. 1.I wish I...........(study) harder. The exam is tomorrow and I've only revised half the course. 2 We wish you..........(come) for Christmas. The rest of the family will all be here. 3 I wish I...........(can/drive) a car.

4 I wish I......(have) a computer. 5 I wish you.............(do) that. It drives me crazy! 6 I wish you................(be) here. You'd love it! 7 I wish you..............(tell) me the answer. I'll never guess. 8 I wish I.............(know) more vocabulary. I keep forgetting the words for things. 9 If only I..............(not/do) that. I'll regret it for the rest of my life. 10 If only I............(can/afford) that dress. It really suits me. II I'd rather we............(we/stay) at home tonight. I'm a bit tired. 12 I'd rather you............(not/lend) him that book. It was a present from my grandfather. 13 It's time you............(leave) for the airport. You have to check in two hours before the time on your ticket.