Explanation
Exercises
Unreal past: wish, would rather / sooner, if only, it’s time
B2 • Pre-Advanced

1) WISH & IF ONLY

Meaning

We use the past forms after wish / if only to talk about situations that are different from reality (“unreal present/future”) or to express regrets about the past.

FormUseExamples
wish/if only + past simple Change a present situation (unlikely or impossible). I wish I were taller. • We wish we had more time.
wish/if only + could Ability/possibility you don’t have. I wish I could be there tomorrow.
wish/if only + would + base Complaints/annoyances you want to change. I wish you would stop biting your nails. • If only it would stop raining.
wish/if only + past perfect Regrets about the past. I wish I hadn’t quit my job. • If only you had followed my advice.
  • Subjunctive were: After I/he/she we often use were instead of was in formal/neutral style: I wish I were at home.
  • No self-wishes with would: Not *I wish I would… ➜ use could or the past simple.
  • Not a “greeting wish”: I wish you a happy birthday is a different use (not unreal past).

2) WOULD RATHER / WOULD SOONER

Preference

FormMeaningExamples
’d rather/sooner + base (same subject) Personal preference now/next. I’d rather have tea (than coffee). • Would you rather stay or go?
’d rather/sooner + subject + past simple Preference about another person (present/future). We’d rather she were here now. • I’d rather you came early.
’d rather/sooner + subject + past perfect Preference about someone’s past action. I’d rather you hadn’t said that.

Short style: Rather not as a complete answer: “Tea?” — “I’d rather not.” Use were instead of was after I/he/she in careful style.

3) IT’S (HIGH) TIME

FormUseExamples
It’s (high) time + subject + past simple Something should happen now/soon (often critical/urgent). It’s high time you took a decision. • It’s time we went home.
It’s time + to-infinitive / for + person + to-infinitive Neutral alternative (no unreal past). It’s time to leave. • It’s time for you to see the doctor.

The past form after It’s time has present/future meaning (unreal past).

4) Quick guide: if only vs wish

  • Emphasis If only is stronger/more emotional than wish.
    If only it would stop raining!
  • Tense choice same as with wish: past simple (unreal now), past perfect (regret), would (annoyance/change).
  • Polarity Negative wishes use didn’t / couldn’t / wouldn’t: I wish I didn’t have to work tonight.

5) Other unreal prompts

We can introduce hypothetical ideas with suppose/supposing, imagine or what if.

Real possibilityUnreal possibility
Suppose you meet him — what will you say? What if you found a wallet — what would you do?
Imagine she doesn’t call — how will you feel? Supposing she hadn’t told you, you would have acted differently.

6) Common pitfalls

  • ✗ I wish I would be there. ➜ ✓ I wish I could be there / I wish I were there.
  • ✗ After would rather (different subject) don’t use present: ✓ I’d rather you came now.
  • ✗ Forgetting that It’s time + past is about now/soon, not the past.
  • ✗ Using was in very formal style where were is preferred: If only I were taller.

Register tip: were (subjunctive) sounds more formal/standard in writing; was is common in speech.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Unreal past with “wish”, “would rather”, “if only”, and “it’s time”

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
I wish I taller.
2
I wish we earlier; the traffic wouldn’t have been so bad.
3
I wish you making that tapping noise; I’m trying to concentrate.
4
I’m exhausted — I’d rather at home tonight.
5
I’d rather you here — it blocks the driveway.
6
If only I my charger; now the phone’s dead.
7
It’s about time the committee a decision.
8
If only the Wi-Fi back; the livestream keeps freezing.
9
I wish I speak Japanese, but I can’t.
10
I’d rather you me about the schedule change yesterday — I missed the bus.

Unreal past with “wish”, “would rather”, “if only”, and “it’s time”

Choose the correct option for each gap below.
1
I wish I ____ more patient.
A.
B.
C.
2
If only we ____ the earlier train, we wouldn’t have been late.
A.
B.
C.
3
I wish you ____ your phone in meetings.
A.
B.
C.
4
I’d rather you ____ here tonight.
A.
B.
C.
5
I’d rather ____ to the coast than stay at home.
A.
B.
C.
6
It’s high time we ____ the final decision.
A.
B.
C.
7
She wishes she ____ more for the exam last week.
A.
B.
C.
8
If only the neighbors ____ their music down.
A.
B.
C.
9
It’s time for the kids ____ to bed.
A.
B.
C.
10
I’d rather we ____ earlier yesterday.
A.
B.
C.

Unreal past with “wish”, “would rather”, “if only”, and “it’s time”

Rewrite the sentences below using the words in brackets. Do NOT use contractions.
1
Original: I do not know his number. (wish)
Transform: I his number.
2
Original: It keeps raining. (if only)
Transform: it would stop raining.
3
Original: She forgot to call me yesterday. (wish)
Transform: I yesterday.
4
Original: You drive too fast. (would rather)
Transform: I so fast.
5
Original: We must leave now. (it’s time)
Transform: we left.
6
Original: I want you to make a decision now. (would rather)
Transform: I now.
7
Original: I did not study enough for the exam. (if only)
Transform: I had studied more for the exam.
8
Original: He refuses to help. (wish)
Transform: I .
9
Original: We went to the party, and now I regret it. (would rather)
Transform: I to the party.
10
Original: The kids are not in bed yet. (it’s time)
Transform: the kids went to bed.