Lesson focus

Wish, if only, would rather, it is time, suppose, imagine and as if/as though for unreal or counterfactual meaning

Advanced aim: Use past forms for psychological and modal distance, distinguishing regret, preference, counterfactuality and apparent unreality.

Wish about present

Use wish + past simple for a present situation the speaker wants to be different.

• Example: I wish the office were closer to the station.
• In another context: I wish the satellite branch were closer to the station.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Wish about past

Use wish + past perfect for regret about a past situation.

• Example: She wishes she had asked more questions before signing.
• In another context: Regional example: She wishes she had asked more questions before signing.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Wish + would

Use wish + would for desired change in another person's behaviour or an annoying situation.

• Example: I wish people would stop forwarding confidential emails.
• In another context: Separate scenario: I wish people would stop forwarding confidential emails.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

If only present

If only + past form expresses a strong wish about the present.

• Example: If only the process were less complicated.
• In another context: Follow-up case: If only the process were less complicated.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

If only past

If only + past perfect expresses strong regret about a past event.

• Example: If only we had backed up the files before the server failed.
• In another context: If only we had backed up the case documents before the server failed.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Would rather present/future

Use would rather + subject + past simple when you want someone else to do something now or later.

• Example: I'd rather you discussed the issue with me first.
• In another context: I'd rather you discussed the reporting gap with me first.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Would rather past

Use would rather + subject + past perfect for a preference about an earlier action.

• Example: I'd rather you hadn't mentioned the merger at dinner.
• In another context: Separate scenario: I'd rather you hadn't mentioned the merger at dinner.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

It's time

Use It's time + subject + past form to say that something should happen now.

• Example: It's time we reconsidered the way the service is funded.
• In another context: Follow-up case: It's time we reconsidered the way the service is funded.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Suppose/Imagine

Suppose/Imagine can introduce hypothetical scenarios. Past forms often create greater remoteness or unreality, while present forms can introduce more open or realistic possibilities.

• Example: Suppose the main investor withdrew tomorrow; what would we do?
• In another context: Alternative case study: Suppose the main investor withdrew tomorrow; what would we do?

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

As if / as though

As if/as though can take past forms to signal distance or unreality. Present forms are also possible when the speaker treats the comparison as plausible or true.

• Example: He talks as though he owned the company, but he doesn't.
• In another context: He talks as though he owned the publishing group, but he doesn't.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.