UNREAL PAST (WISHES) — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Advanced (C1/C2)
English 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.
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.
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
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)
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)
Mixed conditionals 2 (C1/C2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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