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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

for the sake of

Is one of the sentences correct?

For the sake of my blood pressure, I'd rather this game not go down to the wire.
For the sake of my blood pressure, I'd rather this game didn't go down to the wire.

Thanks
  

Top answer

They are both acceptable, but I get the feeling that the first is more [ sophisticated? ].

— Philip

  • They are both acceptable, but I get the feeling that the first is more [ sophisticated?
  • ].
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5 Answers
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They are both acceptable, but I get the feeling that the first is more [ sophisticated? ].
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I think you wouldn't be very likely to hear #1 (not go) in British English.
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Isn't the correct form

I'd rather you didn't do that.

not

I'd rather you not do that.

Is this only in Britain? Are you British Ozz?

I know this is correct I'd rather you didn't do that.
but what about

I'd rather you not do that.

Thanks
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AnonymousI'd rather you not do that.
OK, too.
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AnonymousIs this only in Britain? Are you British Ozz?
No, I'm not British. That's why I said "I think".

My assumption is based on the fact that native speakers of British English generally tend to avoid the subjunctive in cases in which native American English speakers would be quite comfortable using it (even in everyday conversation).
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