0

what is the difference between the following?

I'd rather you went home now. I'd rather you go home .

Improve this question
0

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

It's not actually simple present - expanded, it is:

I would rather you went home now.

It actually form a mood, the subjunctive mood, which is rather fossilised and dated in English but nevertheless has its uses. 'would' on Collins

As for:

  • I'd rather you went home now
  • I'd rather you go home

I don't really parse them as having any difference; I can't think of any situation where they two would have different meaning, unless it was in the following type of exchange:

  • A: I want to stay.
  • B: I'd rather you go home.

But even then, it would only be a rhetorical preference. I'll note that traditionally, the infinitive form (ie go) has been used with the subjunctive - for instance, I'd rather we be quiet now, rather than I'd rather we are quiet now, which is questionable at the very least.

In short: you've used it correctly. For present tense desires/preference, there's no difference I can discern between past/present in the subordinate clause, at least not with regard to everyday usage.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .