WISHES AND REGRETS:

With: oWish / if only oIt’s time / it’s high time/ it’s about time oWould prefer it if/would have preferred it if/ would prefer oWould sooner/ would rather

Wish/ if only: We use them with past simple and past continuous to express present wishes: I wish Tom was/were here now. If only I knew someone who could help me. All the staff wish you weren’t leaving so soon. If only it wasn’t/weren’t raining!

Wish/ if only: We use them with past perfect to express past wishes and very often also to express regrets: If only I had known you were coming. I wish I had known you were coming.

Wish/ if only: We use them with “would” to express future wishes: I wish more young people would vote, but they won’t. If only it would stop raining, we could go out.

It’s time/ it’s high time/ it’s about time: We use them with past simple and past continuous to express what the speaker would like to happen now/ in the future: It’s time you had a haircut. It’s high time you got a job. It’s about time we were leaving.

It’s time/ it’s high time/ it’s about time: We use them with to-infinitive when there is no subject after “time” to express what the speaker would like to happen now/ in the future: It’s time to buy a new car.

Would prefer it if: We use it with past simple and past continuous to express preference now/ in the future: I would prefer it if people didn’t use their mobile phone on public transport. I’d prefer it if we were meeting/met at the cinema.

Would have preferred it if: We use it with past perfect to express preference in the past and very often also to express regrets : We would have preferred it if you had warned us at the time.

Would prefer: We use it with to-infinitive when there is no subject after “prefer” to express preference now/ in the future: I’d prefer to get involved.

Would rather/would sooner: We use them with past simple and past continuous to express preference now/ in the future: I would rather you went home now. I’d sooner you came next week. I’d rather my family were spending/spent more time together.

Would rather/would sooner: We use them with past perfect to express preference in the past and very often also to express regrets : I’d rather you had told me before.

Would rather/would sooner: We use them with zero infinitive when there is no subject after “rather/sooner” to express preference now/ in the future : I’d rather have something to eat.

PAST TENSES Created by: Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro