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Norwolf Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

The meaning of would rather

Hi, teachers.

Here goes a sentence from COCA:

Would she rather have had the money all these years and had a good life; would she rather be starving?

I wonder what the meaning is.

Kindly you give me a hand!

Thank you!
  

Top answer

The word "rather" (in this sense) indicates that one thing is preferred over another, or liked better than another. "Would she rather" turns this into a question. The author is therefore asking if she would prefer to have had the money and a good life, or if she would prefer to be starving.

— Mr Wordy

  • The word "rather" (in this sense) indicates that one thing is preferred over another, or liked better than another.
  • "Would she rather" turns this into a question.
  • The author is therefore asking if she would prefer to have had the money and a good life, or if she would prefer to be starving.
  • The answer seems obvious, so the question is presumably a rhetorical one (in other words, it's a stylistic device that is not actually seeking an answer).
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2 Answers
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The word "rather" (in this sense) indicates that one thing is preferred over another, or liked better than another. "Would she rather" turns this into a question. The author is therefore asking if she would prefer to have had the money and a good life, or if she would prefer to be starving. The answer seems obvious, so the question is presumably a rhetorical one (in other words, it's a stylistic
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Got it.

Thank you,Mr Wordy.
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