[Grammar] Past tense for future meaning - "I would rather you came tomorrow"

[DANAU]

Hi.

I am reading Practical English Usage and there is this part that Swan mentions that simple past tense to be used

when we want to express ‘unreal’ or conditional ideas.


Example – “Don’t come and see me today – I’d rather (that)you came tomorrow.”



To be honest, this is my first time coming across this and the sentence above using “came” does not sound natural to me.

Please advise if this is a rigid rule or we can also say “I’d rather you come tomorrow.”?

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi.

I am reading Practical English Usage and there is [STRIKE]this[/STRIKE] a part space between words [STRIKE]that[/STRIKE] in which Swan mentions that the simple past tense [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] can be used when we want to express ‘unreal’ or conditional ideas.

Example – “Don’t come and see me today – I’d rather (that) space after a close bracket you came tomorrow.”

To be honest, this is [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] is the first time [STRIKE]coming[/STRIKE] I have come across this and space between words the sentence above using “came” does not sound natural to me.

Please advise if this is a rigid rule or if we can also say “I’d space between words rather you come tomorrow". [STRIKE]?[/STRIKE] A sentence that starts "Please advise if ..." isn't a question.

Note my corrections above.

I'm going to leave the explanation of it to a grammar specialist but I can tell you that your suggested sentence doesn't work. We use:

I'd rather you came tomorrow.
I'd rather that you came tomorrow.
I'd prefer it if you came tomorrow.
It would be better if you came tomorrow.

However, as you can see, without "that" (implied or otherwise) or "if", the to+infinitive would be used: "I'd prefer you to come tomorrow".

 

[DANAU]

Note my corrections above.

I'm going to leave the explanation of it to a grammar specialist but I can tell you that your suggested sentence doesn't work. We use:

I'd rather you came tomorrow.
I'd rather that you came tomorrow.
I'd prefer it if you came tomorrow.
It would be better if you came tomorrow.

However, as you can see, without "that" (implied or otherwise) or "if", the to+infinitive would be used: "I'd prefer you to come tomorrow".

Hi emsr2d2.


Is it possible for me to use “there is a part which..” without having to use “in which”?

I am trying to keep to a simpler form if possible because “in which” may not come to me so naturally given my standard of English.

So, if the use of just “which” is acceptable then I would be happy to start off with that.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi emsr2d2.


Is it possible for me to use “there is a part which..” withouthaving to use “in which”?

I am trying to keep to a simpler form if possible because “inwhich” may not come to me so naturally given my standard of English.

So, if the use of just “which” is acceptable then I would behappy to start off with that.

I don't know if you're pasting text in from somewhere else or having trouble with your space bar, but please edit your post and add in the missing spaces indicated above. I've noticed this several times in your last few posts.

 

[DANAU]

I don't know if you're pasting text in from somewhere else or having trouble with your space bar, but please edit your post and add in the missing spaces indicated above. I've noticed this several times in your last few posts.

Yes emsr2d2, during my office hour I need to type out the texts in my outlook and then transfer to the post here.
I do not know why when using my company laptop I have issue typing out the texts. There is long delay and the words do not appear immediately.
OK, I will edit my post.

 

[jutfrank]

I think it could be fine to say I'd rather you come tomorrow.

The present tense has more proximity (see the post above). That means that the idea of you coming tomorrow is more 'real', and so has a bit more force. It may even be a better option if the speaker has no interest in politeness.

 

[DANAU]

I think it could be fine to say I'd rather you come tomorrow.

The present tense has more proximity (see the post above). That means that the idea of you coming tomorrow is more 'real', and so has a bit more force. It may even be a better option if the speaker has no interest in politeness.

Hi jutfrank. Am I right to say that both ‘came’ or ‘come’ can therefore be used in this example?

 

[TheParser]

Please advise if this is a rigid rule or we can also say “I’d rather you come tomorrow.”?

NOT A TEACHER


Yes, you need to use the so-called past tense. I believe, however, that we are actually dealing with something called the subjunctive (a topic that you may wish to study when you have some free time).

Here is what L.G. Alexander says in the 1988 edition of the highly respected Longman English Grammar (page 227): "Note the use of past tenses after I'd rather+ clause."

He then gives these examples.

1. "I'd rather you were happy."
2. "I'd rather you sat (or "didn't sit") next to me."
3. "I'd rather you had been /hadn't been present."
4. "I'd rather he had told/hadn't told me about it."

 

[jutfrank]

Hi jutfrank. Am I right to say that both ‘came’ or ‘come’ can therefore be used in this example?

I'm not going to say you're wrong.