Unreal Past

Would Rather + Past Tense

To talk about an action when we want someone to do something

I would rather you didn't sleep all day.

I would rather you came tomorrow.

Would Rather + Past Perfect

To talk about past action

I would rather you hadn't done that.

I would rather he hadn't spent all his pocket money.

Would Rather + Past Tense

In the sentences we use the Past Tense but its meaning is present or future moment.

I would rather make a lemon cake now.

I would rather you didn't make it.

Would Rather + Than

To make a choice

Would you rather play tennis than go to the cinema?

I would rather have tea than coffee.

After Would Rather we use the infinitive without ' to '.

The negative is : I would rather not ( do sth )

I would rather walk. ( now )

I would rather have gone.( past )

I would rather you ate. ( now )

I would rather you had been there. ( past )

If Only

To express regrets about the past or the present that we would like to change.

If only I hadn't drunk so much, I wouldn't have said it.

If only I didn't have so much homework I could read the book.

To talk about the past

If only I had known you were arriving.

If only I had studied harder when I was at school.

To complain

If only it would rain. My flowers are very dry.

If only she would be a better cook.

To express a hope or wish

If only I had a faster car.

If only I had more money.