UNREAL PAST (WISHES) — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
C1–C2 · AdvancedEnglish uses past tense forms to express hypothetical or unreal present meaning — a pattern found in the second conditional, wish, if only, it’s time, and would rather. This exercise covers several of those structures together.
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓
Change each "reality" into an "unreal past" sentence. If both options are correct, choose BOTH ARE CORRECT:
EXAMPLE: My brothers are compassionate. → I wish my brothers were compassionate.
1. The senator plays golf. → I wish the senator ________________ golf.
Correct answer: played
2. She is going there with a friend. → I'd rather ________________ there with a friend.
Correct answer: she went
3. I will leave. → It's time ________________ .
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT
4. It is summer. → If only ________________ summer.
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT
5. I will go out. → I'd rather ________________.
Correct answer: go out
6. Robert will participate. → If only Robert ________________.
Correct answer: would participate
7. I will take out the garbage. → It's time ________________ the garbage.
Correct answer: I took out
8. My parents will go there together. → I'd rather my parents ________________ there together.
Correct answer: went
9. He keeps his promises. → If only he ________________ his promises.
Correct answer: kept
10. I will come back home. → It's time ________________ home.
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT
Grammar review
The unreal past
English uses past tense forms for unreal/hypothetical situations in the present:
2nd conditional, wish, it's time, would rather.
The past tense signals distance from present reality — not a reference to the past.
English uses past tense forms for unreal/hypothetical situations in the present:
2nd conditional, wish, it's time, would rather.
The past tense signals distance from present reality — not a reference to the past.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
The unreal past connects directly to conditionals and hypothetical language — these exercises cover all the related patterns.
More unreal past & conditional exercises:
Unreal past (wishes) 2 (C1/C2)
Unreal past (it’s time) 1 (C1/C2)
Second conditional 1 (B1/B2)
Second conditional 2 (B1/B2)
Third conditional 1 (B2/C1)
Third conditional 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed conditionals 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed conditionals 2 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
The unreal past connects directly to conditionals and hypothetical language — these exercises cover all the related patterns.
More unreal past & conditional exercises:
Unreal past (wishes) 2 (C1/C2)
Unreal past (it’s time) 1 (C1/C2)
Second conditional 1 (B1/B2)
Second conditional 2 (B1/B2)
Third conditional 1 (B2/C1)
Third conditional 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed conditionals 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed conditionals 2 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Premium Resources
Business English Conversations
Online course
›
visit our famous
ESL SHOP
for affordable teaching
& learning materials
& learning materials
More great stuff
American idiomsPhrasal verbs
Varieties of English
Travel English
Language-specific grammar
Connect & follow
About us /
Cookie & privacy policy /
Contact: info (at) learnenglishfeelgood.com
© 2006–2026 LearnEnglishFeelGood.com unless otherwise stated.
Reposting our content is not allowed. See our content policy.