Unreal Past - Supposing, It's time, As if (As though)

Index

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. Put in commas where necessary.

1) You should have that old car repaired at last.
ABOUT

2) Linda doesn't know all the answers although she pretends to.
THOUGH

3) What would you do if you were robbed in broad daylight?
SUPPOSING

4) Perhaps, the cat was hurt in a traffic accident.
IF

5) I think she should give up smoking.
HIGH

6) If only she hadn't done that.
BETTER

Test Answers!

ANSWERS 1: ABOUT TIME YOU HAD
EXPLANATION
IT'S (HIGH/ABOUT) TIME + PAST SIMPLE is used to say that something is not happening, but it should be happening.
More Examples:
~~It is time he were back from work.~~ X We cannot use WERE after IT'S TIME + I/he/she/it!
It is time he was back from work. V

ANSWERS 2: AS THOUGH SHE KNEW
EXPLANATION
AS THOUGH/AS IF + PAST SIMPLE shows improbable, unreal or doubtful situations in the present.
More Examples:
She behaves as if/as though she had a million dollars. V She doesn't have a million dollar! (UNREAL SITUATION)
She behaves as if/as though she has a million dollars. V She has a million dollar! (REAL SITUATION)
He looks as if/as though he was/were ill. V WERE instead of WAS can be used in all persons!

ANSWERS 3: SUPPOSING YOU WERE ROBBED
EXPLANATION
SUPPOSING/SUPPOSE/WHAT IF/IMAGINE + PAST SIMPLE (PAST PERFECT) is used with past simple or past perfect to ask questions about imaginary situations.
More Examples:
Supposing you failed your exam, what would you do? V PAST SIMPLE for imaginary situations in the present!
Suppose he hadn't been at school. V PAST PEFECT for imaginary situations in the past!

ANSWERS 4: IF THE CAT HAD BEEN
EXPLANATION
AS THOUGH/AS IF + PAST PERFECT is used to refer to an imaginary or real situations in the past.
More Examples:
She talks about Bono as if/as though she had met him herself. V She probably didn't meet Bono! (UNREAL SITUATION)
She talked about Bono as if/as though she had met him herself. V We can change the tense preceding AS IF/ AS THOUGH to the past.

ANSWERS 5: HIGH TIME SHE GAVE
EXPLANATION
IT'S (HIGH/ABOUT) TIME + PAST SIMPLE is used to say that something is not happening, but it should be happening.
More Examples:
~~It is time he were back from work.~~ X We cannot use WERE after IT'S TIME + I/he/she/it!
It is time he was back from work. V
It is time for her to go to bed. V IT'S (ABOUT/HIGH) TIME + FOR + SB + TO + INFINITIVE is also possible!

ANSWERS 6: WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
EXPLANATION
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER + IF + PAST PERFECT => past reference.
More Examples:
It would have been better if you had taken that medicine. V IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER + IF + PAST PERFECT = THIRD CONDITIONAL (PAST)
It would be better if you took that medicine. V IT WOULD BE BETTER + IF + PAST SIMPLE = SECOND CONDITIONAL (PRESENT/FUTURE)