UNREAL PAST

Use:
We sometimes use Past Simple when referring to a present or a
future situation. We use what is called the Unreal Past.
We use wish / if only + Past Simple to make a
wish about a present or future situation which we
would like to be different.
I wish you didnt have to travel tomorrow
( But you have to travel)
I wish I had a newer car ( But I dont)

We use wish / if only + could + bare infinitive

to express regret about something we cannot do at
present.
I wish I could speak Chinese.
I wish I could go with you to the party.

 We could also use would rather, its (high) time, as if,

as though
as follows:
We use would rather + Past Simple to say
that we would prefer somebody to do or not do
something ( the subject of would rather must
be different from the subject of the main verb).
Id rather you didnt use the office phone
for personal calls.

We use its time + Past Simple to complain,

criticise or explain what we think should be done.
Its time you started doing your homework!

We use as if / as though + Past Simple for

untrue situations.
She speaks as if she were the boss. ( She is
not )

Note :
When using Unreal Past we usually use
were instead of was.