UNREAL PAST TENSES

When we want to talk about an unreal situation, we can use the past tense to do so. When using an
unreal past tense, we use the verb in the past, but we are actually talking about something that never
happen. The same happens in conditional sentences when stating hypothetical situations.

1. I’d like to know what time the party starts.

WISH
I ______________________________________ what time the party starts.
2. If you want to go home, you should wait until the rain stops.
HAD
You ______________________________________ until the rain stops, if you want to go home.
3. I’d prefer you not to smoke in my house.
RATHER
I ______________________________________ smoke in my house.
4. It was a shame you didn’t pass the exam. It’s a pity I can’t stay two days more.
WISH & ONLY
I ____________________________ the exam. If ____________________________ two days more.
5. It will be better if you get up at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
SOONER
I ______________________________________ at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
6. We ought to go home now. It’s getting late.
TIME
It is ______________________________________ home. It’s getting late.
7. If you heard him speak, you’d think he is an expert.
IF
He spoke ______________________________________ an expert.
8. Kevin doesn't feel like going out tonight. He is just a clerk but acts like he is the boss.
RATHER & THOUGH
Kevin ____________________________ out tonight. He ______________________ he is the boss
9. Edgar doesn't like watching television as much as he likes playing chess.
RATHER
Edgar prefers ______________________________________ television.

Key words: if only, I wish, supposing, rather, sooner, prefer, had better, It’s about time,
It’s high time, it’s time for you...
 UNREAL PAST TENSES

ANSWER KEY

1. I’d like to know what time the party starts.

WISH
I wish I knew what time the party starts.
2. If you want to go home, you should wait until the rain stops.
HAD
You had better wait until the rain stops , if you want to go home.
3. I’d prefer you not to smoke in my house.
RATHER
I would rather you didn’t smoke in my house.
4. It was a shame you didn’t pass the exam. It’s a pity I can’t stay two days more.
WISH & ONLY
I wish you had passed the exam. If only I could stay two days more.
5. It will be better if you get up at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
SOONER
I would sooner you got up at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
6. We ought to go home now. It’s getting late.
TIME
It is about time we went home. It’s getting late.
7. If you heard him speak, you’d think he is an expert.
IF
He spoke as if he were an expert.
8. Kevin doesn't feel like going out tonight. He is just a clerk but acts like he is the boss.
RATHER & THOUGH
Kevin would rather not go out tonight. He acts as though he is the boss
9. Edgar doesn't like watching television as much as he likes playing chess.
RATHER
Edgar prefers playing chess rather than watching television.