Scribd
Upload
62 views2 pages

Hypothetical and Unreal Tenses

The document explains the use of hypothetical and unreal tenses in English, focusing on wishes about present states, past events, and future events. It also discusses the phrases 'if only', 'it's time', and 'I'd rather', along with their grammatical structures. Additionally, it covers how to introduce unreal situations using 'suppose' and 'imagine'.

Uploaded by

g7bynjc25s
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
62 views2 pages

Hypothetical and Unreal Tenses

The document explains the use of hypothetical and unreal tenses in English, focusing on wishes about present states, past events, and future events. It also discusses the phrases 'if only', 'it's time', and 'I'd rather', along with their grammatical structures. Additionally, it covers how to introduce unreal situations using 'suppose' and 'imagine'.

Uploaded by

g7bynjc25s
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Hypothetical and unreal tenses

Wishes

1- Wishes about present states

These wishes use the present tense after the verb wish. The time referred to is an imaginary or ‘unreal’
present.

I wish I knew the answer to this question. ( In this case, I don’t kwon the answer.)

I wish I didn’t have so much work to do.

2- Wishes about past events


These wishes use the past perfect after the verb wish.

I wish I had met you yesterday.

3- Wishes about future events: could and have to.

Wishes using could refer to ability or future time.

I wish I could drive. (ability)

I wish June could meet me next week. (future time)

Wishes with have to also refer to future time.

I wish I didn’t have to get up early tomorrow.

4- Wishes about future events would (annoying habits)

These wishes use would after the verb wish. They often take the form of a complaint about a bad habit.

I wish you would not be moody all the time.

There is very little difference between this kind of wish and the wishes in 1.
This kind of wish may also refer to a specific action which you would like to happen.

I wish he would behave properly in this situation.

If only
1- If only is used instead of wish to make emphatic wishes

If only I knew the answer to this question!

If only I had been told before!

2- In speech, only is often heavily stressed.

1- It’s time followed by a person by an unreal past tense.

Sorry, but it’s time we went home.  If we went home, it would be better. ( Similar to a conditional 2
sentence)
2- High can be added for extra emphasis

It’s high time you learned to look after yourself!

3- It’s time can also be used with the infinitive+to

It’s time you started work! (You are being lazy)


It’s time to start work! ( a statement of fact)

I’d rather

1- I’d rather followed by a person is followed by an unreal past tense

I’d rather you didn’t tell her about this.

This has a similar meaning to a conditional 2 sentence

If you didn’t her about this, it would be better.

2- I’d sooner can be used in the same way and has the same meaning.

Actually, I’d sooner we left soon.

Suppose and imagine

Both words can be used to introduce unreal situations.

Suppose you fell in love. What would it be like?

Imagine you were well-off. What would you do?

You might also like