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JungKim Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

I'd rather you be gone when he got here.

The following is a conversation between Blair and Chuck in an American TV series:
Blair: You almost made a fool of me in front of the New York Times. Which proves my very point: you can't be trusted. Nate is a gentleman. He would never cause a scene.
Chuck: Never get your blood going, either.
Blair: Speaking of going, that's what you should do. Carter Baizen is on his way here, right now.
Chuck: What? What the hell are you doing with Carter Baizen?
Blair: He left his jacket here yesterday and I'd rather you be gone when he got here. There have been enough scenes for today.

In the boldface portion, "he" refers to Carter Baizen, who has yet to get there yet. How come it's the past tense "got" instead of the present tense "gets"?
  

Top answer

JungKim How come it's the past tense "got" instead of the present tense "gets"? That is somewhat unusual, but it has a family resemblance to the second conditional. I'd ...

— CalifJim

  • JungKim How come it's the past tense "got" instead of the present tense "gets"?
  • That is somewhat unusual, but it has a family resemblance to the second conditional.
  • I'd ...
  • if he got here / I'd ...
  • when he got here.
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5 Answers
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JungKimHow come it's the past tense "got" instead of the present tense "gets"?
That is somewhat unusual, but it has a family resemblance to the second conditional.

I'd ... if he got here / I'd ... when he got here.

Occasionally 'when' triggers the same tense as 'if'. It sounds more formal to my ear.

CJ
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Thanks.

Is it also possible to use "gets" instead of "got" there?

Also, what about "were gone" instead of "be gone"?
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JungKimIs it also possible to use "gets" instead of "got" there?Also, what about "were gone" instead of "be gone"?
I'd rather you [were / be] gone when he [gets / got] here is fine.

The sentence I wrote above represents four different ways of saying it. They are all possible.

CJ
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Thanks a lot.

Would you consider "be" to be conveying a little stronger nuance, if you will, than "were"?
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JungKima little stronger nuance
I'd express that as a very slightly stronger wish (for him to be there), so if that's what you mean, I agree with you.

Note, however, that this is a very subtle case, so not every native speaker would necessarily have the same opinion.

CJ
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