Unreal Uses of Past Tenses

• CEFR C1
• Grammar
• Printable
• Answer key

Unreal Uses of Past Tenses is a printable grammar worksheet for English language learners at CEFR level C1. It covers wish, if only, would rather, it is time, and as if, with 5 exercises and an answer key.

English often uses past forms to talk about unreal, imagined, or desired situations in the present or future.

Use past simple after wish, if only, would rather, and it is time for present or future meanings.

Use past perfect when the regret or unreal situation refers to the past.

Examples

• I wish the instructions were clearer.
• If only we had asked for advice sooner.
• I would rather you did not mention this publicly.
• It is time the government took the issue seriously.
• She speaks as if she knew everything about the case.
• He acted as though nothing had happened.
• I wish they would stop changing the schedule.
• If only the meeting had been postponed.

What's in this worksheet

1. Complete the sentence
2. Correct the mistake
3. Transform the sentence
4. Mixed practice
5. Controlled production

Common mistakes

• I wish the instructions are clearer.  →  I wish the instructions were clearer. Use past simple for an unreal present wish.
• If only we asked for advice sooner.  →  If only we had asked for advice sooner. Use past perfect for a past regret.
• I would rather you do not mention this.  →  I would rather you did not mention this. Use past simple after would rather when the subjects are different.
• It is time the government takes action.  →  It is time the government took action. Use past simple after it is time for an unreal or overdue action.