進階 unreal past

🎯 這一課你會學會

英語有一個細膩的規則:用「過去式」講「現在的非現實/不滿/假裝」。你會把 B1 的 wish 升級,並學會 it's (high) time + 過去式(該是時候了)、as if / as though(彷彿)、would rather + 主詞 + 過去式。這是母語者表達「其實不是那樣」的常用手法。

💬 先聽一段對話

Mia: You keep checking your phone.（你一直在看手機。) Ken: Sorry. I wish I weren't so distracted lately.（抱歉。真希望我最近沒這麼分心。) Mia: It's high time you took a proper break.（你早該好好休息了。) Ken: You talk as if you knew exactly how I feel.（你說得好像很懂我的感受。) Mia: Because I do. And I'd rather you rested than burned out.（因為我懂。而且我寧願你休息,也不要累垮。)

🔑 四個結構(都用「過去式」講現在)

• wish / if only + 過去式(現在的遺憾):I wish I had more time.
• it's (high/about) time + 主詞 + 過去式:It's time we left.
• as if / as though + 過去式(彷彿,但其實不是):He acts as if he owned the place.
• would rather + 主詞 + 過去式(寧願某人…):I'd rather you didn't smoke.

🧩 文法點:過去式 = 「與現實有距離」

① wish / if only(升級版,分三層時間):

• 現在遺憾:I wish I were taller. / If only I knew.（用過去式)
• 過去遺憾:I wish I had studied harder.（用過去完成)
• 對他人不滿(希望改變行為):I wish you would stop.（wish + would)
• 正式裡 be 動詞用 were(I wish I were…),口語 was 也常見。

② it's (high/about) time + 主詞 + 過去式(該是…的時候了,含「早該」的催促):

• It's time we went home.（我們該回家了。)
• It's high time the government acted.（政府早該行動了。語氣更強)
• 注意:是過去式,不是原形:❌ It's time we go. ✅ It's time we went.

③ as if / as though + 過去式(彷彿…,但實際不是):

• She spends money as if she were rich.（她花錢好像很有錢——其實不是。)
• 若「其實可能是真的」,也可用現在式:It looks as if it is going to rain.（看起來真要下雨。)
• 距離越大(越不真實)→ 越用過去式。

④ would rather + 主詞 + 過去式(寧願別人做/不做某事,現在或未來):

• I'd rather you came tomorrow.（我寧願你明天來。)
• I'd rather he didn't know.（我寧願他別知道。)
• 對照:would rather + 原形是講「自己」寧願做什麼(I'd rather stay.)——見 B2 L06。

⑤ 中文母語者常犯:

• ❌ It's time we go. → ✅ It's time we went.
• ❌ I wish I can fly. → ✅ I wish I could fly.
• as if 後別自動加現在式:講「其實不是」時用過去式。

📒 高頻單字

單字	KK 音標	中譯	例句
distracted	/dɪˈstræktɪd/	分心的	I feel distracted.
proper	/ˈprɑpɚ/	真正的、像樣的	a proper break
pretend	/prɪˈtɛnd/	假裝	He pretends to know.
burn out	/bɝn aʊt/	累垮	Don't burn out.
deserve	/dɪˈzɝv/	值得	You deserve a rest.

🗣️ 發音提醒

• wish I were 連讀「wɪ-ʃaɪ-wər」;as if →「æ-zɪf」。
• It's high time 的重音在 HIGH,把「早該」的催促感頂出來。
• would rather 常縮成 I'd rather「aɪd-ræ-ðɚ」。

✍️ 開口練習

練習 1:用過去式改寫。

• I want to be taller (but I'm not). → I wish I were taller.
• We should leave now. → It's time we left.

練習 2:用 as if 造句(彷彿但其實不是)。

• 他講話好像很懂 → He talks as if he knew everything.

練習 3:用 would rather + 主詞 + 過去式。

I'd rather you ＿.

🎒 帶走

• 過去式 = 與現實拉開距離:wish / if only、it's (high) time、as if / as though、would rather + 主詞。
• 現在遺憾用過去式、過去遺憾用過去完成、要別人改變用 wish + would。
• 常錯點:It's time we went(不是 go);I wish I could(不是 can)。

下一課進入 Unit 3,學讓文字變「學術正式」的第一招:名詞化。