The unreal past
as if, It’s time, Suppose…
The rules
- For something untrue, use a past form after "as if": "as if he were".
- "It’s (high) time" + past simple means it should already be happening.
- With "would" in the other half, "Suppose" takes the past simple for an imagined present or future.
- "It’s time for + person + to-infinitive" is the neutral form.
- For an imagined earlier event, use the past perfect after "as though".
- "It’s about time" + past adds mild criticism: it is overdue.
Examples
- He talks as if he were the boss, but he isn’t.
- It’s high time we went home.
- Suppose you won the lottery, what would you do?
- It’s time for us to leave.
- She looked as though she had seen a ghost.
- You should have called her already.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.He talks as if he _____ the boss, but he isn’t.
2.It’s high time we _____ home.
3.Suppose you _____ the lottery, what would you do?
4.Which sentence is correct?
5.She looked as though she _____ a ghost.