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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Which type

Which type of conditional is this?
If the plane tickets were sold out, I would rather travel by train. (Is "would rather" in past form here?)
Thanks.
  

Top answer

"would rather" is a set phrase used for expressing preference. "I would rather travel by train" is talking about a present or future preference. "I would rather have travelled by train" is talking about a past preference (usually one that wasn't satisfied).

— GPY

  • "would rather" is a set phrase used for expressing preference.
  • "I would rather travel by train" is talking about a present or future preference.
  • "I would rather have travelled by train" is talking about a past preference (usually one that wasn't satisfied).
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3 Answers
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"would rather" is a set phrase used for expressing preference. "I would rather travel by train" is talking about a present or future preference. "I would rather have travelled by train" is talking about a past preference (usually one that wasn't satisfied).
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GPY, can't "would rather" be used in conditional?
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AnonymousGPY, can't "would rather" be used in conditional?
If by this you mean can it be used in a pattern "If ... , (then) I would rather ...", then yes.
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