PAST or PRESENT

Question

How would you Past or PresentI'd rather Daniel went/goes than you went.Past with rather?I'd rather he had succumbed from a sickness than was shot to death. I can't believe he was shot and died.Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI'd rather Daniel went/goes than you went.

This is talking about the future.
Either one works, but you should be consistent:

I'd rather Daniel go than you go. (Use the subjunctive "go.")

I'd rather Daniel went than you went.

AnonymousI'd rather he had succumbed from a sickness than was shot to death. I can't believe he was shot and died.

This is fine, speaking of a past event.

You'd rather now that he had been sick then (instead of having been shot).

Edit. I suppose the subjunctive is optional in the first one.

I'd rather Daniel goes than you go.

I'd rather he were going than you. I'd rather he was going than you.

In casual usage, the past may be substituted for the present subjunctive.

Second thoughts on #2:

I prefer "I'd rather he had succumbed from a sickness than having been shot to death."

This is a tough one. ". . . . than had been shot to death" seems more correct,

but the present perfect seems more natural.

PAST or PRESENT

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