過去非真實條件句
在英語中，過去式有時會被用來論及一個不真實的情況。所以說，縱使動詞的時態是過去式，我們實際上講的是根本沒發生過的事。當我們講的是一個假設、隨時可能發生的情況，就會出現這樣的條件句，因此我們將這種過去式稱為「過去非真實條件句」。
「過去非真實條件句」會用在 if、supposing、if only、what if 等表達條件或假設的字詞後，還有表達願望的動詞 to wish 之後，以及 I'd rather 之類的字詞後。
表達條件的用詞
if、supposing、if only、what if 等措辭可以用來引導假設的條件或情況，並在後面接過去簡單式的句子，以表示引導的假設條件或情況是虛幻的。
舉例
- Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love.
- What if we painted the room yellow?
- If you went to the movies, I would babysit.
- If only I had more money, I could go to the movies too.
這些措辭也可以用來引導過去的假設情況，後面接過去完成式的句子。
舉例
- If only I hadn't kissed the frog.
- What if the elephant had stepped on my phone?
- Supposing I had given that man my money.
祈望
當我們要談論不滿意、但無法改變的現況，就要把 to wish 這個動詞用在過去不真實條件句。
舉例
- I wish I had more money.
- She wishes she was beautiful.
- We wish we could come to your party.
當我們想要談論過去不滿意的情況，或者後悔做過的事情，我們會在動詞 to wish 後面接過去完成式的句子。
舉例
- I wish I hadn't said that.
- He wishes he hadn't bought the car.
- I wish I had taken that job in New York.
當我們想要談問不滿意的現況，並且表達我們希望某人可以改變某事，就要在動詞 to wish 後面接 would + 不定詞的句型。
舉例
- I wish he would stop smoking.
- I wish you would go away.
- I wish you wouldn't squeeze the toothpaste from the middle!
用「I'd rather」和「it's time」來表達寧願
I'd rather 和 it's time 後面接的也是過去非真實條件句。動詞是過去式，但談論的情況是現在式。當我們想要表達自己希望某人做某件事，就要用 I'd rather + 過去式的句型。
舉例
- I'd rather you went.
- He'd rather you called the police.
- I'd rather you didn't hunt elephants.
在這樣的句型中，重音的位置很重要；這樣才能清楚表達我們寧願的事物為何。
舉例
- I'd rather you went.（而不是我）
- I'd rather you went.（而不是留下）
- He'd rather you called the police.（而不是我）
- He'd rather you called the police.（而不是消防員）
同樣的，當我們想要表達現在該做某事，無論是對於自己本身還是對於他人，都是用 it's time + 過去式的句型。
舉例
- It's time you paid that bill.
- It's time I went home.
- Don't you think it's time you had a haircut?