UNREAL PAST

Would rather = would sooner (=would prefer)

When the subject of would rather / sooner is the same as the verb following
would rather / sooner:

S + Would rather / sooner + Present Bare Infinitive (present reference)

S + would rather / sooner + Perfect Bare Infinitive (past reference)

Tom would rather read than talk.

Id rather fly than go by sea.
Id rather / sooner have coffee than gin.
We went by sea but Id rather / sooner have gone by air.

Would rather = would sooner (=would prefer)

When the subject of would rather / sooner and the subject of the verb
following would rather / sooner have different subjects.

S + would rather / sooner + S + Simple Past (present future reference)

S + would rather / sooner + S + Past Perfect (past reference)

Id rather / sooner you came with me.

Shall I give you a cheque? Id rather you paid cash.
Ann wants to tell Tom, but Id rather / sooner she didnt (tell him).
Id rather you hadnt done that.

Prefer
Prefer + noun / -ing form + to + noun / -ing form (general preference)
(would) prefer + to infinitive + rather than + bare infinitive (specific
preference)

He prefers / preferred walking to cycling.

He prefers wine to beer.
Id prefer you to pay cash.
Id prefer her not to tell Tom.
I would prefer to spend the weekend at home rather than drive all the
way to your mothers.
Its time
Its time + infinitive
Its time + for + object + infinitive
Its time + S + Simple Past
Its high time + S + Simple Past
Its about time + S + Simple Past

Its time to start.

Its time for us to go.
Its time we went.
Its time we were leaving.
Its high time we left.
Its about time you did some homework.

As if = as though

The past can be used to indicate unreality or

improbability or doubt in the present.
He behaves as if he owned the place. (But he doesnt own it or we
dont know whether he owns it or not)
He orders me about as if I were his wife. (but Im not)

After as if / as though we use a past perfect

when referring to a real or imaginary action
in the past:
He talks about Rome as though he had been there himself. (But he
hasnt or we dont know whether he has or not)
He looks / looked as though he hadnt had a proper meal for a month.