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Yog-Sothoth Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
You would rather I be more serious
"You would rather I be more serious"
Is this sentence correct? I have always heard: "You would rather I were more serious", and I have always thought that this was the right way, using the subjunctive in past after "would rather". However, I had a discussion with a teacher some days ago, and she told me that, in her opinion, the sentence above was more accurate. I still think I´m right, but now I doubt...
I will thank your clarifications.
Is this sentence correct? I have always heard: "You would rather I were more serious", and I have always thought that this was the right way, using the subjunctive in past after "would rather". However, I had a discussion with a teacher some days ago, and she told me that, in her opinion, the sentence above was more accurate. I still think I´m right, but now I doubt...
I will thank your clarifications.
Top answer
‘Were’ is the past tense of the subjunctive form of the verb ‘be’. The subordinate clause should be in the past in this sentence. Some people prefer not to use the subjunctive ‘were’.
- ‘Were’ is the past tense of the subjunctive form of the verb ‘be’.
- The subordinate clause should be in the past in this sentence.
- Some people prefer not to use the subjunctive ‘were’.
- " than "You would rather I be more serious," as you do.
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4 Answers
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‘Were’ is the past tense of the subjunctive form of the verb ‘be’. The subordinate clause should be in the past in this sentence. Some people prefer not to use the subjunctive ‘were’. I myself rather see "You would rather I were more serious." than "You would rather I be more serious," as you do.
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Yog-Sothoth"You would rather I be more serious"
Is this sentence correct? I have always heard: "You would rather I were more serious", and I have always thought that this was the right way, using the subjunctive in past after "would rather". However, I had a discussion with a teacher some days ago, and she told me that, in her opinion, the sentence above was
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That's quite interesting. In ordinary BrE, I wouldn't expect a present subjunctive in the subordinate clause. Thus (for BrE):
1. ?I'd rather he do the washing-up.
? "I'd rather he did the washing-up".
2. ?I'd rather you not do that.
? "I'd rather you didn't do that".
3. ?I'd rather he be dead.
? "I'd rather he was dead".
1. ?I'd rather he do the washing-up.
? "I'd rather he did the washing-up".
2. ?I'd rather you not do that.
? "I'd rather you didn't do that".
3. ?I'd rather he be dead.
? "I'd rather he was dead".
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