IT’S TIME IT’S TIME + PAST SIMPLE To talk about the present and future. We mean that the action should have been done before. It’s time you went to bed, it’s already 10 o’clock. We can also say “IT’S ABOUT TIME” or “IT’S HIGH TIME”. It’s about time you started doing some work. It’s high time they were here. I’D RATHER (I WOULD RATHER) I’D RATHER + PAST SIMPLE When we want to say what we want someone or something else to do in the present or future. (I’d rather the meeting started a bit later) I’D RATHER + PAST PERFECT When we want to say what we wanted to happen in the past. (I’d rather she had gone out more warmly dressed) I’D RATHER + INFINITIVE (without TO) To talk about our preferences or other people’s preferences in the present or future. (They’d rather go by bus)
SUPPOSE (= What if..?) SUPPOSE + PRESENT SIMPLE To describe something that may possibly happen or may have happened. (Suppose someone sees you going into the building) SUPPOSE + PAST SIMPLE To talk about something that is just imagination or which is unlikely to happen in the future. (Suppose you won the lottery. What would you buy?) SUPPOSE + PAST PERFECT To talk about something that could have happened but didn’t in the past. (Suppose we hadn’t studied so hard. Do you still think we would have passed?)