September 25, 2023
The Unreal Past
Something that can give students a bit of a problem, grammatically, is what is known as, the unreal past.
The unreal past is simply a past tense being used to refer to a present or future time. If you’re scratching your head saying, huh,? don’t worry, as the following is designed to make it all quite clear.
Those items you need to pay special attention to are the following:
Wishes
As if
If only
Would rather
Had better
Set phrases – It’s high/about time
Suppose/supposing
Below are short descriptions with examples. Pay attention to the examples as they should help clarify any difficulties in this often tested item.
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The Unreal Past
The past tense form of the verb referring to the present / future time.
I wish we had more time. (but we don’t)
He talks to me as if he was / were the king. (but he isn’t)
If only I could drive. (but I can’t)
I’d rather you drove not me.
If I found it, I would keep it. [2nd type conditional]
It’s high / about time he got a job. [NOT: … he gets …]
** NOTE: It’s time for us to go. — OR — It’s time we went. [NOT: It’s time we go.]
It’s a great idea, but suppose / supposing your father refused / were to refuse?
When the past perfect is used then the time referred to is in the past and not the present or future.
I wish we had taken your advice. (but we didn’t)
She looked as if / as though she hadn’t combed her hair in days.
If only you had accepted the offer. (but you didn’t)
I’d rather you had called me sooner. (but you didn’t)
If I had known that, I’d have contacted him. [3rd conditionals]
Suppose they had actually won, what would have happened? (they didn’t win)
** NOTE: Wishes with same or different subjects
I wish I lived downtown. (but I don’t live…)
I wish I was going on vacation. (but I’m not going…)
I wish + a different subject + would is used to show a desire for a future change or a request showing dissatisfaction.
I wish it would stop snowing.
I wish you would be more polite.
Would rather / Would sooner
Present / future time
I’d rather eat now. [same subject, present infinitive]
I’d rather not eat now
ALSO: I’d rather go to college than get a job.
I’d rather we ate now. [different subjects, simple past]
I’d rather we didn’t eat now.
Past time
I’d rather have stayed yesterday. [same subject, perfect infinitive]
I’d rather not have stayed yesterday.
I’d rather she had left yesterday. [different subjects, past perfect]
I’d rather she hadn’t left yesterday.
Had better
Present / future time
You’d better apologize to her. [NOT: … to apologize…]
We’d better not say anything to Dad.
Past time
It would have been better if we hadn’t said anything to Dad.
** NOTE: The phrases would rather and had better can be
followed by progressive infinitives.
I’d rather be sailing today.
He’d better not be playing when we get there!
Wish, Hope
I wish + someone + noun
I hope + subject + verb
I wish you well / happy holidays.
I hope you enjoy your vacation.
**NOTE: Exceptions
I wish to see the manager. (want)
I hope to see you soon. (would like, expect, desire)
Well that’s a brief review of the unreal past and some regularly tested items. Be sure you understand and recognize the above as you are certain to see it on the Michigan exam.
I’ll be sending you some more grammar items to review in the next Michigan TIPS.
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Good learning – till next time!
Todd
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