would rather

[hela]

Dear teachers,

What are the different uses of "would rather" ?

1) Would rather to express a regret in the past:

a) would rather + perfect infinitive ?: if there is only a subject.

e.g. We went by sea but I’d rather have gone or had gone by air.
(I wanted to go by air, but didn’t get my wish)

b) if there is 1 subject + 1 object (or 2 subjects ?): it doesn’t change ?

e.g. I would rather you have gone or had gone by air (?)

2) What's the difference between:

a) I would rather Go home. (bare inifinitive)
b) I would rather HAVE GONE home. (perfect infinitive)
c) I would rather HAD GONE home. (past perfect ?)

Sorry but I'm getting confused...

Would you have other examples ?

Many thanks,
Hela

[Tdol]

I'd rather have gone by air.
I'd rather you hadn't done that.


However, the scond structure is used less nowadays; 'I wish' would be more common.

[hela]

Dear tdol,

Do both of your sentences express a regret about a past action ?
Would :

a) She'd rather you went by plane = past subjunctive = it's still possible.
b) They'd rather you had gone by plane = perfect subjunctive = it's too late.

Correct / incorrect ?

Thanks,
Hela

[Tdol]

Yes, they do. Your examples are correct- the tenses follow the second and third conditional patterns and time frames.

[hela]

Many thanks!

[hela]

Now, What do you think of the following sentences. Are they correct ?

1) I would have done better to arrive earlier.
2) It would have been better if you had arrived earlier.

Are they equivalent to :

3) You would rather have arrived earlier.
4) I would rather you had arrived earlier.

Thank you in advance.
Hela