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4444mv Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

would rather

I've found this expression and it seems strange to me:

(1)I would rather you go home now. Instead of (2)  I would rather you went home now.

The first sentence explanation was that it is a subjunctive and that it is correct to say I would rather that...
Thanks.
  

Top answer

4444mv (1)I would rather you go home now. Instead of (2) I would rather you went home now. I hear both so often that I find it hard to say that either one is wrong.

— CalifJim

  • 4444mv (1)I would rather you go home now.
  • Instead of (2) I would rather you went home now.
  • I hear both so often that I find it hard to say that either one is wrong.
  • There is quite a lot of variation with this "rather" expression.
  • You can add "that" if you want.
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12 Answers
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4444mv(1)I would rather you go home now. Instead of (2) I would rather you went home now.
I hear both so often that I find it hard to say that either one is wrong. There is quite a lot of variation with this "rather" expression. You can add "that" if you want. That makes no difference.

CJ
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CalifJim 4444mv(1)I would rather you go home now. Instead of (2) I would rather you went home now.I hear both so often that I find it hard to say that either one is wrong. There is quite a lot of variation with this "rather" expression. You can add "that" if you want. That makes no difference.CJ
Thank you CJ! We learn English through books that don't include
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4444mvbooks that don't include all these interesting things.
Out of curiosity, which does your book say is the right one? 1 or 2?

CJ
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According to my textbooks the right version would be would rather +sb. + past tense. (when you want someone else to do something)
I'm very disappointed with the way we are learning this academic English! We think that many things are wrong and they aren't!!!!!!
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4444mvAccording to my textbooks the right version would be would rather +sb. + past tense. (when you want someone else to do something)
Then I would rather that you did that if you need something like that on an exam.
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4444mvI'm very disappointed with the way we are learning this academic English! We think that many things are wrong and they aren't!!!!!!
Well, there's only so many pages in a book. If they included everything, you'd need a truck to carry your book with you.

CJ
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haha Ive already finished my studies but as I have forgotten many things, now I'm rewieving grammar! In your last example, if I haven't misunderstood, it could also be I would rather that you do that...
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CalifJim 4444mvI'm very disappointed with the way we are learning this academic English! We think that many things are wrong and they aren't!!!!!!Well, there's only so many pages in a book. If they included everything, you'd need a truck to carry your book with you.CJ
No!! That's not he point. The problem is that the books state that some structures are wrong a
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4444mvit could also be I would rather that you do that...
Yes. It sounds all right to me. If you were in the U.S. and said it, nobody would think you had said something wrong.
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CalifJim 4444mvit could also be I would rather that you do that...Yes. It sounds all right to me. If you were in the U.S. and said it, nobody would think you had said something wrong.
Thank you, CJ.
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