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Past verb forms referring to the present

Being polite or less direct​

We sometimes use a past verb form to talk about present time, in order to be more polite or less direct:

  • I thought you might like to know that Linda has been promoted.
  • We were hoping you’d stay for dinner.
  • Would you give these to Richard, please? (more polite/less direct than Will you give these to Richard, please?)

Conditional and hypothetical structures with if, what if, wish and supposing often use past forms with a present meaning:

  • If James was here now, he’d know what to do.
  • What if we left now instead of later, would we avoid the rush-hour traffic?
  • I wish I had more time. I could stay and help you.
  • Supposing you were married. Where would you be living now, here or somewhere else?
See also
  • Conditionals
  • Conjunctions
  • Politeness: making what we say less direct

Things in the past that are still true​

Sometimes we use past verb forms to refer to things which were true or which happened in the past, even when they are still true now:

  • A: That woman at the party last night was Russian.
  • B: I thought so.
  • He went for an interview for the airforce the other day but he didn’t get in because his eyesight wasn’t good enough.

It’s time …​

We use the expression it’s time … to refer to the present moment with a past verb form:

  • It’s eleven-thirty. It’s time I went to bed.
  • Not: It’s time I go to bed.
See also
  • It’s time