Dreaming in English

Do you ever daydream? Maybe you sit at your desk and think, "If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world." Or maybe you look out the window at the rain and think, "I wish it were sunny."

We all imagine different realities! In English, when we want to talk about imagined situations or regrets in the present, we use a very special trick: we use the past tense.

It sounds strange at first—why use the past tense for right now? Think of it this way: the past tense creates a "distance" from reality. It tells the listener, "This isn't real right now; I am just imagining it."

Let’s break down how to use "If I knew" and "I wish I knew" so you can start daydreaming in perfect English!

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1. Imagining Different Situations: "If I knew..." (The Second Conditional)

We use If + Past Simple to talk about a present situation that is imaginary, unlikely, or impossible. To finish the thought, we use would + base verb for the result.

The Rule:

If + [Past Simple], subject + would + [Base Verb]

Examples:

• Imagination: "If I had more time, I would read more books."
  • Reality: I don't have much time right now, so I don't read a lot.
• Imagination: "If we lived closer to the beach, we would go surfing every weekend."
  • Reality: We don't live close to the beach.
• Imagination: "If I knew Paul's phone number, I would call him."
  • Reality: I don't know his number, so I can't call him.

💡 Tip: You can also flip the sentence around. Just remember to take out the comma!

• I would read more books if I had more time.

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2. Expressing Regret: "I wish I knew..."

Sometimes, we are unhappy with a present situation and we want it to be different. This is when we use the verb wish. Just like with the "If" sentences, we follow "wish" with the past simple to show that our desire is not our current reality.

The Rule:

I wish + subject + [Past Simple]

Examples:

• Wish: "I wish I knew Paul's phone number."
  • Reality: It’s a pity that I don't know his number right now.
• Wish: "I wish I had a car."
  • Reality: I have to take the bus, and I don't like it.
• Wish: "It's freezing today. I wish I lived in Thailand!"
  • Reality: I live somewhere cold.

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3. The Special Rule: Was vs. Were

Here is where English gets a little bit strange! When we use the verb "to be" in these imaginary sentences, we often use were instead of was for all subjects (I, he, she, it).

In formal English, were is always the best choice. In casual, spoken English, you will hear native speakers use both was and were, but were is very common.

Examples:

• If I were rich, I would buy a boat. (Not: If I was rich...)
• I wish it were Friday. (Not: I wish it was Friday...)
• If she were taller, she could play basketball.

Giving Advice: We use the phrase "If I were you..." all the time to give advice to our friends. We never say "If I was you."

• "If I were you, I would study for the test tonight."
• "I wouldn't buy that expensive jacket if I were you."

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Summary Checklist ✅

To check your understanding, remember these three key points:

1. Use the past simple to talk about imaginary situations in the present.
2. Use "If [past simple] ... would [verb]" to explain what you would do in a dream situation.
3. Use "I wish [past simple]" to talk about something you want to change right now.
4. Use "were" instead of "was" for a more natural and correct sound, especially when giving advice (If I were you).

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Use *If I were you...* to give advice." }, "questions": [ { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "If I ___ more time, I would read more books.", "options": ["have", "had", "would have"], "correctIndex": 1, "explanation": "We use the **Past Simple** in the 'if' clause of a second conditional sentence." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "We would go surfing every weekend if we ___ closer to the beach.", "options": ["lived", "live", "will live"], "correctIndex": 0, "explanation": "Use the **Past Simple** after 'if' to show that the current situation is imaginary." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "If I knew Paul's phone number, I ___ him.", "options": ["will call", "called", "would call"], "correctIndex": 2, "explanation": "Use **would + base verb** to show the imaginary result." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "I don't like taking the bus. I wish I ___ a car.", "options": ["have", "had", "would have"], "correctIndex": 1, "explanation": "Use the **Past Simple** after 'wish' to express a desire for a different present reality." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "It's freezing today! I wish I ___ in Thailand.", "options": ["live", "lived", "am living"], "correctIndex": 1, "explanation": "The **Past Simple** form *lived* expresses a regret about your current location." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "If I ___ rich, I would buy a large boat.", "options": ["was", "am", "were"], "correctIndex": 2, "explanation": "In formal English, **were** is preferred for all subjects in imaginary conditions." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "I wish it ___ Friday today, but it is only Tuesday.", "options": ["is", "was", "were"], "correctIndex": 2, "explanation": "Use **were** with the subject *it* to express an imaginary wish." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "If she ___ taller, she could play on the basketball team.", "options": ["were", "is", "will be"], "correctIndex": 0, "explanation": "Use **were** for singular subjects like *she* in second conditional clauses." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "If I were you, I ___ for the exam tonight.", "options": ["will study", "would study", "studied"], "correctIndex": 1, "explanation": "The advice structure uses **would + base verb** in the result clause." }, { "type": "multiple-choice", "question": "I wouldn't buy that expensive jacket if I ___ you.", "options": ["am", "was", "were"], "correctIndex": 2, "explanation": "The phrase **If I were you** is the standard formula for giving advice." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "If I ___ (know) the answer, I would tell you right away.", "answer": ["knew"], "explanation": "The 'if' clause requires the Past Simple form **knew**." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "I wish I ___ (speak) French fluently.", "answer": ["spoke"], "explanation": "We follow 'wish' with the Past Simple form **spoke** to show a present regret." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Fill in the blank using the special rule for the verb 'to be':", "question": "If he ___ here right now, he would help us move the sofa.", "answer": ["were"], "explanation": "Use **were** for singular subjects in imaginary conditions because he is not actually here." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "They would buy a house if they ___ (win) the lottery.", "answer": ["won"], "explanation": "An imaginary condition uses the Past Simple form **won**." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Fill in the blank using the special rule for the verb 'to be':", "question": "I am so tired. I wish I ___ in bed right now.", "answer": ["were"], "explanation": "Use **were** with 'I' to express an imaginary present wish." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "If we ___ (live) in London, we would speak English every day.", "answer": ["lived"], "explanation": "The condition clause requires the Past Simple form **lived**." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "She wishes she ___ (have) a bigger apartment.", "answer": ["had"], "explanation": "Use **had** to express a desire for her current reality to be different." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Fill in the blank to complete the standard advice phrase:", "question": "If I ___ you, I would accept the job offer.", "answer": ["were"], "explanation": "Always use **were** in the phrase *If I were you*." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "I don't understand this game. I wish I ___ (know) the rules.", "answer": ["knew"], "explanation": "The past form **knew** expresses a regret about a lack of knowledge in the present." }, { "type": "fill-in-the-blank", "instruction": "Type the correct past simple form of the verb in parentheses:", "question": "He would fix the car if he ___ (have) the right tools.", "answer": ["had"], "explanation": "The imaginary condition requires the Past Simple form **had**." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "If I had a bike I would ride it to school.", "explanation": "Structure: If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "She would help us if she could.", "explanation": "When the result clause comes first, do not place a comma before 'if'." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "I wish I had a bigger bedroom.", "explanation": "Structure: Subject + wish + subject + past simple + object." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "If I were you I would study tonight.", "explanation": "Giving advice: If + I + were + you, I + would + base verb." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "I wish it were summer holidays now.", "explanation": "Expressing a wish using the special rule: subject + wish + it + were + noun phrase." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "If it rained we would stay at home.", "explanation": "Structure: If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "She wishes she could play the guitar.", "explanation": "Use 'could' (the past form of can) to express a wish about an ability." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "If he were a chef he would cook delicious food.", "explanation": "Remember to use 'were' for singular subjects like 'he' in imaginary conditions." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "I would buy a boat if I were rich.", "explanation": "Result clause + if + subject + were + adjective (no comma needed)." }, { "type": "scramble", "sentence": "I wish I knew how to swim.", "explanation": "Expressing a present regret: Subject + wish + subject + past simple + phrase." } ] } ]