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Saurav Ghosh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
I would prefer or I would have preferred?
Hi guys. This is my first post here. I am not a English speaker, I barely speak English actually. So I suck at it badly, especially at grammar. So please go easy on me.
Anyway, I have this question going around on my mind for a while, so need to ask this finally. As the title asks, I am confused between would prefer and would have preferred. For example, yesterday I was having dinner at a restaurant with my friend and I had Chinese and he had something else. After dinner he asked me whether I liked my food or not. And just for the sake of example think that I didn't like the food. Now here is my question, what / how should I have replied to him? Is it,
A : No, I would prefer something else.
B : No, I would have preferred something else.
An event which took place roughly 10-15 minutes ago since the query, which of the above should be appropriate there? If I am not wrong most, if not all, people use A right? But why to my ears B sounds more proper?
Thanks,
Saurav.
Anyway, I have this question going around on my mind for a while, so need to ask this finally. As the title asks, I am confused between would prefer and would have preferred. For example, yesterday I was having dinner at a restaurant with my friend and I had Chinese and he had something else. After dinner he asked me whether I liked my food or not. And just for the sake of example think that I didn't like the food. Now here is my question, what / how should I have replied to him? Is it,
A : No, I would prefer something else.
B : No, I would have preferred something else.
An event which took place roughly 10-15 minutes ago since the query, which of the above should be appropriate there? If I am not wrong most, if not all, people use A right? But why to my ears B sounds more proper?
Thanks,
Saurav.
Top answer
Welcome to English Forums! A: No, I would prefer something else. This is a response to the question: Would you like some raw fish eyes?
- Welcome to English Forums!
- A: No, I would prefer something else.
- This is a response to the question: Would you like some raw fish eyes?
- They are a delicacy here.
- B : No, I would have preferred something else.
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5 Answers
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Welcome to English Forums!
A: No, I would prefer something else.
This is a response to the question: Would you like some raw fish eyes? They are a delicacy here.
B : No, I would have preferred something else. This is a response to the question: Did you enjoy the "mystery dish" that you just finished? It was actually raw fish eyes. They are a delicacy here
A: No, I would prefer something else.
This is a response to the question: Would you like some raw fish eyes? They are a delicacy here.
B : No, I would have preferred something else. This is a response to the question: Did you enjoy the "mystery dish" that you just finished? It was actually raw fish eyes. They are a delicacy here
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All right. So B is not wrong for that above mentioned situation by me I suppose?
Just to confirm, would prefer here is what? Is it in simple past? And would have preferred must be present perfect if I am not wrong, right?
Just to confirm, would prefer here is what? Is it in simple past? And would have preferred must be present perfect if I am not wrong, right?
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Saurav GhoshSo B is not wrong for that above mentioned situation by me I suppose?The correct response is B.
Saurav GhoshJust to confirm, would prefer here is what?Modal. (modals do not have conventional tenses)
Saurav GhoshAnd would have preferred must be present perfect if I am not wrong, right?
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Thanks a lot. It is becoming pretty clear now 
Completely forgot about modals, ashamed! Should not have missed the English classes in
Completely forgot about modals, ashamed! Should not have missed the English classes in00
Saurav GhoshCompletely forgot about modals, ashamed!No problem. If you post questions, the teachers here will try to refresh your memory!
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