played or have played

[hela]

Dear teacher,

Would you please tell me which form is correct?
"What would you rather have done—played / have played professional baseball or sold / have sold used cars?

Thanks
Hela

 

[Nightmare85]

***Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.***

Hi hela,

In case you are interested in my opinion:
What would you rather have done?
Playing professional baseball or selling used cars?

As you can see I neither used played/sold nor have played/have sold because I think there is no need to use any form of past.
You already use the past form in your 1st sentence, so it's logical that you're talking about the past.

Anyway, I'm interested to read what the other members will say...

Cheers!

 

[5jj]

"What would you rather have done—played [STRIKE] / have played[/STRIKE] professional baseball or sold [STRIKE]/ have sold[/STRIKE] used cars?

There is no need for the 'have'.

 

[emsr2d2]

You'll also hear "What would you rather have done - play football or sell used cars?

 

[hela]

Hello emsr2d2,

But would "play + sell" would be grammatically correct in written English?

All the best

 

[5jj]

Yes

 

[hela]

And what about Nightmare85's version, "playing + selling" ?

 

[emsr2d2]

And what about Nightmare85's version, "playing + selling" ?

I find that suggestion entirely unnatural and I will go so far as to say incorrect.