Conditional sentences?

Question

But I rather have something my dad can't sell -Conditional IBut I'd rather have something my dad couldn't sell - Conditional IICorrect me if I'm wrong!

Pleasehelp · Accepted Answer

pleasehelpBut I rather have something my dad can't sell -Conditional I

But I'd rather have something my dad couldn't sell - Conditional II

Correct me if I'm wrong!

But please tell me if the sentences are right!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Hi Please:

Conditional sentences have the word "if" with a condition.
The degree of the conditional depends on the likelihood of the if-condition being true or not.

If you heat water to a temperature of 100 degrees centigrade, it will boil. (true!)

If I were your father, I would help you every day. (false!)

Please see this LINK for summary of conditionals.

CalifJim · Answer

pleasehelpBut I rather have

No. I would rather (or I'd rather) is a fixed idiom meaning I prefer, I would prefer, or I'd prefer. There is no I rather, I did rather, I used to rather, I have rathered, or any such form. rather isn't even a verb. Your attempt to force this idiom into a sequence of tenses pattern and then call them conditionals won't work. They aren't conditionals.

The version you are most likely to hear is this:

But I'd rather have something my dad can't sell.

Nevertheless, you can also have this (your second example):

But I'd rather have something my dad couldn't sell. (couldn't = wouldn't be able to)

CJ

Conditional sentences?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions