When to use would rather?
We normally use would rather in order to show our preferences. If you want to express that you like or prefer one thing more than the other one then you can use this construction. Instead of would rather you can also use would sooner or would just as soon but they are less common. The other forms that express our preferences or suggestions are would prefer and had better but they take different grammar rules than would rather and I’m going to explain it to you in a different post. See below the basic would rather examples in sentences.
Would rather examples:
- I would rather go out than stay at home tonight.
- I’d rather take the bus than go on foot.
- She would sooner eat out than cook at home.
- They‘d sooner take some legal advice before they enter into the contract.
- He‘d rather buy a flat than rent it.
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How to use would rather?
The would rather examples you can see above are very basic and simple. In fact, there are more rules of using this construction. The kind of grammar that you use after this phrase depends on a few factors. Firstly, it is very important if you use one subject (the person or thing that is performing the action) in a sentence or two different subjects. Secondly, it is essential whether you want to make a positive or negative sentence. Thirdly, it is crucial if your sentence refers to the present, future or to the past.
I know what you are thinking right now, that’s too difficult and complicated. It seems like that but just at the beginning. I will show you how to use would rather step by step. Follow the next steps carefully and I’m sure you’ll learn how to use would rather and this piece of grammar will become easy peasy for you.
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Would rather with the same subject
For the present and for the future
I’ll try to explain the rules as simple as possible. Let’s divide a sentence with would rather into two parts. The first part (the main clause) contains a subject and the phrase would rather. The second part (the subordinate clause) contains a subject, a verb and the rest of the sentence.
When the subject is the same in both parts of the sentence then we use an infinitive (without to) in the second part of the sentence. See the examples:
- I would rather (I) do the shopping today.
- I’d rather pay the bills this week.
- They would sooner sign the contract as soon as possible.
- We‘d sooner wait with this decision.
- He‘d rather keep it to himself. (not
keeps)!
For the past
When we refer to the past, the grammar changes. When the subject is the same in both parts of the sentence then we use the Perfect Infinitive (have done). Just to remind you, the Perfect Infinitive is not the same as the Present Perfect Tense! See the examples:
- I would rather have gone to the doctor. (e.g. yesterday)
- She‘d rather have eaten her breakfast. (not
has eaten)! - They would sooner have done it themselves.
- I’d sooner have found out about this much earlier.
- We‘d rather have been more responsible in that situation.
Negative sentences and questions
When it comes to the negative sentences, we do it in the second part of the sentence. In this case we form the negative infinitive. See the examples:
- I would rather not cook today. (not
don’t)! - He‘d rather not stay longer at work.
- You‘d sooner not make a fool of yourself.
- I’d rather not have lost my temper during the last meeting. (not
haven’t lost)! - She‘d rather not have said that. (not
hasn’t said)!
When it comes to the quesions, we do it in the first part of the sentence. See the examples:
- Would you rather stay with me today?
- Would they rather come tomorrow?
- What would you rather choose?
- Would she rather have spent her birthday alone?
- Would they sooner have gone to Spain than to France?
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Would rather with different subjects
For the present and future
In the case when we have two different subjects in a sentence with would rather then the Unreal Tenses (Unreal Past) come into play.
When the subject in the first part of the sentence is different than in the second one then we use the Past Simple Tense in the second part of the sentence. See the examples:
- I would rather you visited me tomorrow.
- She‘d rather I changed my job.
- He would sooner they were more responsible.
- I‘d sooner he thought over this decision once again.
- They‘d rather we expedited this process.
For the past
When we refer to the past, another tense must be used. When the subject in the first part of the sentence is different than in the second one then we use the Past Perfect Tense in the second part of the sentence. See the examples:
- I would rather he had told me the truth.
- She‘d rather I had brought some food but I didn’t have time to cook.
- He would sooner they had informed him in advance.
- We‘d sooner he had chosen another university. He’s gone his own way and I hope he won’t regret.
- I’d rather you had done it yesterday.
Negative sentences and questions
When it comes to the negative sentences, we also do it in the second part of the sentence. In this case we use negative forms of the Past Simple Tense or the Past Perfect Tense. See the examples:
- I would rather you didn’t talk to me like that never again.
- I‘d rather she didn’t spend so much money. She should start thinking about some savings.
- We‘d sooner he wasn’t so bad-tempered. He gets angry so quickly.
- She would sooner he hadn’t come back home so late yesterday.
- Luiza would rather her child hadn’t made so many mistakes.
When it comes to the questions, as previously, we do it in the first part of the sentence. See the examples:
- Would you rather she stayed with them? (present)
- Would Pam rather I wasn’t here?
- Would you rather Ben came later today?
- Would you rather I hadn’t told him the truth? (past)
- Would she rather I hadn’t drunk so much last night?
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Learn and Practise Would Rather
As you can see there are a few things, rules to remember and all of it looks a little bit complicated. That’s why it is essential to get acquainted with this step by step. Start with the sentences with one subject and then move to the sentences with different subjects. Read the sentence examples very carefully and try to analyse them. Try to understand and remember the rules.
You have just learned a piece of theory. Now, it’s time for some practice. I’ve prepared for you a few exercises with Would Rather. Try to use your new knowlege doing the below quizes. Read the descriptions carefully to understand what the exercises is about.
Incredible clear description of rules. Now I understand this.
Nice work.
Thanx a lot!
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Thanks, it’s in progress 🙂