一般过去时表现在
(1) 在宾语从句中，由于时态呼应的关系，可用一般过去时表示现在：
I didnt know you were here. 我不知道你在这儿。(were实际上指现在)
I didnt know you were so busy．我没想到你这么忙。(were实际上指现在)
(2) 表示客气委婉的现在：
I wondered if you were free this evening. 不知您今晚是否有空。
I thought you might like some flowers. 我想您也许想要些花。
【注】能这样有的动词主要限于want, wonder, think, hope, intend等少数动词。
(3) 用于某些特殊结构中表示现在
Its time we started. 我们该动身了。
I wish I knew his name. 要是我知道他的名字就好了。
Id rather you lived closer to us. 我希望你能住得离我们近点。
【注】该用法主要用于its time, I wish, Id rather, if only, as if, as though 等少数结构后接从句的情形，其中有些结构后面的句子还可用一般过去时表示将来：
Id rather you come next Monday. 我宁愿你下周星期一来。
另外表主观想法的虚拟条件句也用一般过去时表示现在：
If I had the money now Id buy a car. 假若我现在有钱，我就买辆小汽车。