• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Your English Web

English learning videos

  • Home
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Business English
  • News English
  • English courses
  • ESL Conversation Questions

Using the Unreal past in English

By Admin Leave a Comment

unreal past

In this English grammar lesson you will learn how we use the unreal past in English with ‘wish’, ‘if only’, and ‘it is time’ plus a past tense. 

Basically, the UNREAL PAST is when we use a past tense but we are NOT referring to the past. We use it when talking about unreal situations or impossible wishes.

For example, the sentence “I wish I had a new car” is an example of the unreal past. At the moment you don’t have a new car. You would like one but you haven’t got one yet.

Likewise, the sentence “It’s time we got a new car” is also an example of this tense. It’s mainly used with certain structures so it is not difficult to learn. 

Let’s have a look at the different ways to use this English grammar structure. 

If

If you came to the party you might get to meet Sue. I know you want to meet her.

If I had the time I would take you out to dinner. However, I am too busy.

If only

We use ‘if only‘ for regrets. When we regret having done something. Look at these examples:

If only I had taken the job at the bank. I regret not taking the job.

If only I were more handsome.

It’s time

By the way, it’s time we had a chat about your future in this company.

It’s very late. It’s time he went to bed.

It’s time you got a job because I am sick and tired of paying for everything.

Wish

I wish we weren’t all going to lose our jobs.

She wishes her husband would spend more time with the family. As a result, she might get a divorce.

I wish I didn’t have to give a speech tomorrow.

Would rather, would sooner

I’d rather you didn’t go to the party alone.

I don’t want you here. I’d sooner you left the room.

So, there you go. It’s time I did something else.

Please consider buying me breakfast if you liked the lesson. You can do that here.

I also have some interactive lessons here at curious.com. Check them out.

So that’s all in this lesson. If you liked this lesson you may like this one even more.

Cheers!

Filed Under: B1 (intermediate), B2 (upper-intermediate), English lessons, english video, Grammar, Lesson, tutorials, Video Tagged With: english b2, english c1, english grammar, english lesson, first certificate, unreal past

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are you human? * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.

Leave the field below empty!

Primary Sidebar

Search for English

Subscribe on YouTube

Support me


Option




Online video lessons by Your English Web

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in