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The Unreal Past

The unreal past is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

We use wish + past simple to talk about things we would like to be different in the present. For example, "I wish (that) I were famous."

We use wish + past perfect to talk about things that happened in the past that we wish hadn't happened. For example, "I wish I had asked her out before she moved away."

We use if only for emphasis, or to emphasize something. For example, "If only I had paid my bill on time. Now I owe more money!"

We use wish + would to talk about things we want to stop because we find them annoying. For example, "I wish the dog would stop barking!"

The Unreal Past Grammar Quiz

  1. If I , would she still think I'm ugly?

  2. What if Kurt Cobain still alive, would you still love Nirvana's music?

  3. If I the lottery, I would buy you a house.

  4. Supposing Obama the election, could he still be popular?

  5. We could go to the movies, if only I have to work.

Go Super to see the answers! Go Super!

The Unreal Past Lessons:

Giving Gifts

Mayer Hawthorne

Hit the Hay

Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides

Gap Year

Power Suits

Wanderlust

Glasses

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Comments

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Xally

Mexico

Thanks for your help

02:14 AM Oct 31 2009 |

s id

Saudi Arabia

 i wish i had completed my study

09:27 PM Oct 20 2009 |

green greener

United Arab Emirates

Thanks for the lesson,

I really get benefit from it

(I wish he would stay with me (but he didn't)) Smile

08:57 PM Jul 02 2009 |

Ceccia

Italy

Thank you Ebaby! This lesson is really simple to understand… 

08:39 PM Jul 02 2009 |

Eydo

Eydo

Turkey

Good and usseful lessons fro everybody:)

11:39 AM Apr 06 2009 |

marck89

Malaysia

wow..it's so hard for me but i must.there's no short cut to learn english.

02:12 PM Apr 05 2009 |

bassoum

Cote D'Ivoire

i thank you so mush ebaby for this lesson it's so helpful

08:09 AM Apr 03 2009 |

RAMY GHAYES

Egypt

its so easy llesson . thank you ebaby

02:16 AM Feb 12 2009 |