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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Rather than

Hi,

I have a little doubt on using 'rather than' in past tense. Suppose I write: he knew that his son would rather kill himself than kill anyone else. (I am sure this is past tense).

Suppose I alter it a little: he knew that his son would rather have killed himself than killed anyone else. (this is also past)

Since both sentences are past tense, which form is commonly used in rather than? Which is right?

Regards,
  

Top answer

In my opinion, in your particular sentences, when his father knew it has no effect on what he knew. He knows his son would rather have killed himself etc. He knew his son would rather kill himself etc.

— Avangi

  • In my opinion, in your particular sentences, when his father knew it has no effect on what he knew.
  • He knows his son would rather have killed himself etc.
  • He knew his son would rather kill himself etc.
  • He Knows his son would rather kill etc.
  • He knew his son would rather have killed etc.
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1 Answers
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In my opinion, in your particular sentences, when his father knew it has no effect on what he knew.

He knows his son would rather have killed himself etc.
He knew his son would rather kill himself etc.
He Knows his son would rather kill etc.
He knew his son would rather have killed etc.

All are possible.

The switch to the perfect infinitive only changes the
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