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Egyanglophile Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Had rather

I ask if there is a "had rather" followed by a past simple tense in English?

Thanks

  

Top answer

Do you mean something like "I had rather you went home"? This is possible in theory, but "had rather" sounds somewhat old-fashioned. Nowadays "would rather" would normally be used.

— GPY

  • Do you mean something like "I had rather you went home"?
  • This is possible in theory, but "had rather" sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
  • Nowadays "would rather" would normally be used.
  • Also, I think it is questionable whether "went" is is simple past.
  • It seems more like "unreal" past or past subjunctive.
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1 Answers
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Do you mean something like "I had rather you went home"? This is possible in theory, but "had rather" sounds somewhat old-fashioned. Nowadays "would rather" would normally be used. Also, I think it is questionable whether "went" is is simple past. It seems more like "unreal" past or past subjunctive.

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