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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

I'd rather you didn't mention it when we're in company.

Hi all

I'd rather you didn't mention it when we're in company.

I am wondering if the past participle in this sentence gives any indication whether this statement was referring to the past or to the general present.

Thank you.

Best wishes
PBF

  

Top answer

It's not a past participle. It is a past tense. It refers to the general present or to the future, depending on context.

— Fivejedjon

  • It's not a past participle.
  • It is a past tense.
  • It refers to the general present or to the future, depending on context.
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3 Answers
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It's not a past participle. It is a past tense. It refers to the general present or to the future, depending on context.

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Peaceblinkfriend

Hi all I'd rather you didn't mention it when we're in company.
I am wondering if the past participle in this sentence gives any indication whether this statement was referring to the past or to the general present.

The idiom "would rather" has the finite clause "you didn't mention it ..." as complement, where

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The idiomatic preterite didn't does not refer to the past in your sentence. There is no past participle in the sentence.

CB

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