Help me explain, thank you
I would rather that you didn't hear this bad news. For this sentence, i have four questions, 1, do i need to remove "that", 2, the verb after you should be the present or the past tense, 3, if i change would rather to would sooner, it means the same? 4, if i change would rather to prefer, it can also the same?, explain to me,thank you.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 7
0
Hello Allen Chen,
1- You don't have to skip "that". You can keep it, but you are free to omit it.
2- Technically speaking, the verb after you is in the subjunctive tense. But its structure in English is easy: it looks like the simple past! Just like in your example: I would rather you didn't hear this bad news. Or: I would rather you heard this good news. Please note that you have two clauses in this sentence, and each clause has its unique subject: "I", and "you".
3- you can change "rather" to "sooner" and it will mean the same thing. The form "I would rather" is most commonly used, though.
4- You can use "prefer" instead, but in that case you should say "I would prefer it if you didn't hear this bad news".
Hope this helps! If you need more assistance, feel free to visit my teaching page and send me a message: https://www.italki.com/teacher/4812990
Micha.
0
Would rather and would prefer both will work in this sentance
0
This would not mean the same thing.
Rather means option, ie a question
Sooner means before, ie time related
0
2) this is fine as it is
0
1) 'that' can be removed and still make sense however it is more formal to use the word 'that'
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
