Would rather

Definition

Would rather expresses a preference. When the subject of both actions is the same, use would rather + base verb. To express a preference about another person's present or future action, use would rather + subject + past simple.

Examples

• I would rather stay home tonight.

  The same subject, I, is understood for both the preference and the action.

• Maya would rather take the train than drive.

  Than introduces the less preferred alternative.

• I would rather Leo came tomorrow.

  The past form came expresses a present or future preference about another person.

Same subject vs. different subject

Use a base verb when the subject is shared. Use a separate subject plus past simple for a preference about someone else's present or future action.

Past preference uses would rather have + past participle

To express a preference about an earlier event, use would rather have + past participle for the same subject. A different-subject past preference can use would rather + subject + past perfect.

• I would rather have stayed at home.

  The speaker now prefers an unreal alternative to an earlier action.

• I would rather Leo had called first.

  The past perfect expresses a preference about Leo's earlier action.

Common mistakes