You'd rather I be or I were

[allthewayanime]

In this example could it be also used 'were' instead of 'be'(the subjunctive form)?

e.g. Would you rather I be with someone else?

 

[birdeen's call]

In this example could it be also used 'were' instead of 'be'(the subjunctive form)?

e.g. Would you rather I be with someone else?

Both are grammatical in my opinion. "Was" could also be used.

 

[5jj]

For me, the 'be' version is not very natural. It suggests to me the idea that the preference would be for a hypothetical future situation; the 'were' version suggests that the preference would be for a hypothetical (counterfactual?) present situation.

 

[birdeen's call]

For me, the 'be' version is not very natural. It suggests to me the idea that the preference would be for a hypothetical future situation; the 'were' version suggests that the preference would be for a hypothetical (counterfactual?) present situation.

I agree.

 

[~Mav~]

*** NOT A TEACHER ***


From Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy:

When you want someone else to do something, you can say I'd rather you did.../I'd rather he did..., etc. We use past in this structure, but the meaning is present or future, not past.

An example from my favourite movie, "A Few Good Men":

Colonel Jessep: I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post.

(Note, also, the subjunctive after "suggest".)

The imperative for this sentence, "Would you rather I be with someone else?" would read: I would rather you were with someone else (which seems to be perfectly correct), that's why I think that the original (interrogative) sentence is correct. (I admit it sounds strange even to me, but, being a non-native, what I think is of no importance.:-? )

 

[birdeen's call]

Yes, but this sentence is also fine I think:

I would rather you study this evening than go to a party.

As for counterfactuality, I've found this sentence from Chicago Sun-Times (2005):

They would rather he be around to tell stories, laugh and enjoy life.

The context tells us he's not around.

 

[5jj]

I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post.

(Note, also, the subjunctive after "suggest".)
Well, as the subject of the verb is not third person, we cannot be sure that this is subjunctive.

[...]being a non-native, what I think is of no importance.
Rubbish!

This forum benefits enormously from the suggestions of some knowledgeable and/or genuinely interested non-native speakers. There are a couple of them in this thread,

 

[emsr2d2]

For me, the 'be' version is not very natural. It suggests to me the idea that the preference would be for a hypothetical future situation; the 'were' version suggests that the preference would be for a hypothetical (counterfactual?) present situation.

I agree. "that I be" suggests the future, in a way that "that I were" does not.

I would rather [that] you be a doctor than a baker = In the future, I hope you become a doctor, not a baker.
I would rather [that] you were a doctor than a baker = You are a baker. I wish you were a doctor.

 

[~Mav~]

Well, as the subject of the verb is not third person, we cannot be sure that this is subjunctive.

But may I call it subjunctive? To me, it seems to be subjunctive. This day has been a disaster for me, and I could not endure another disappointment. I'd like to have a good sleep. ;-)

 

[birdeen's call]

I agree. "that I be" suggests the future, in a way that "if I were" does not.
.

Hi, emsr2d2. Why "that I be" and "if I were"? Do you mean that the full form of

She would rather I were...

is actually

She would rather if I were...

and not

She would rather that I were...

?

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi, emsr2d2. Why "that I be" and "if I were"? Do you mean that the full form of

She would rather I were...

is actually

She would rather if I were...

and not

She would rather that I were...

?

Apologies and well spotted! I meant to type "that I were", not "if I were" and then I failed to put the optional "that" in my example sentences. I have now edited my post and corrected those.

Perhaps I should get some sleep.

 

[5jj]

But may I call it subjunctive? Yes
To me, it seems to be subjunctive.[...] I'd like to have a good sleep. ;-)

Sleep well.
I was not contradicting you. I was merely pointing out that we could not say for certain that it was subjunctive,