Would rather/sooner

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

These examples are from Macmillan. It says we use 'would rather/sooner' to say that we would like someone else to do or not to do something. We are not talking about the past. Right? If I had to express an unreal situation can I use 'would rather' or 'would sooner' in the same way as 'I wish I were and 'I wish I had been? For example;'I wish I were in New York now' and 'I wish I had been in New York then.'

1. 'I would rather you didn't tell anyone.' 'I would rather she hadn't told anyone.'
2. 'I would sooner she went to university than got a job now.' 'I would sooner she had gone to university than got a job.'

 

[Rachel Adams]

Dictionary? Course book? Author? Scottish dialect?

Oh, sorry. It's from Macmillan English Grammar in Context by Michael Vince.

 

[teechar]

Take a look at the following link.
https://www.grammaring.com/would-rather-would-sooner-clause-with-the-past-perfect-subjunctive

In my experience, "would sooner" is less common than "would rather" in that structure.

 

[GoesStation]

Take a look at the following link.
https://www.grammaring.com/would-rather-would-sooner-clause-with-the-past-perfect-subjunctive

In my experience, "would sooner" is less common than "would rather" in that structure.

"I'd sooner" rather than "I'd rather" is a common feature of Appalachian English. It may sound dialectal to speakers of other varieties of American English. I use it myself, but I'd teach learners to use "I'd rather".

 

[Rachel Adams]

"I'd sooner" rather than "I'd rather" is a common feature of Appalachian English. It may sound dialectal to speakers of other varieties of American English. I use it myself, but I'd teach learners to use "I'd rather".

What about the constructions in bold? Do native speakers use them with the past perfect when they are talking about unreal situations?
1. 'I would rather she hadn't told anyone.'
2. 'I would sooner she had gone to university than got a job.'

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

 

[teechar]

Yes, but people are more likely to use contractions when speaking, unless they're trying to emphasize something.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes, but people are more likely to use contractions when speaking, unless they're trying to emphasize something.

Do you mean 'I'd rather/sooner?

 

[teechar]

Yes, and "she'd gone".

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes, and "she'd gone".

When is it wrong to use contractions? There is a test in English File it gives three options and asks: 'Are you from Paris?' The possible answers are: A. Yes, I am. B. I'm. C. I are. The third option is wrong of course. I chose A. as the correct option. Maybe I am wrong but I think 'I'm' or contractions are not used in answers.

 

[teechar]

There is a test in English File [STRIKE]it[/STRIKE] which gives three options and asks: 'Are you from Paris?' The possible answers are: A. Yes, I am. B. I'm. C. I are. The third option is wrong of course. I chose A as the correct option.

Yes, that's the only right answer to that question.

Maybe I am wrong, but I think 'I'm' or contractions are not used in answers.

They can be used in answers, but not at the end of a sentence (unless in the negative).

Has she passed the exam?
She's. :cross:
She has.

She hasn't.

When is it wrong to use contractions?

1- See above.
2- In formal writing.
3- When emphasizing something.