Would rather + past? or present?

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Old Eladio  #208558  Wed, 22 Mar 06 08:03 PM

Please, help me on this. I perfectly understand the first sentence. I don't understand the second one, but it is written in an English dictionary, and I think (poor me, an English learner) the third sentence is the correct form for the past. Am I right? On the contrary, please explain this point as extensive as you can.

1.- I would rather (or would sooner) you tell him than I do.

2.- I would rather (or would sooner) you told him than I did.

3.- I would rather (or would sooner) you had told him than I did.

Eladio

  
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paco2004  #208583  Wed, 22 Mar 06 10:40 PM
Hello Eladio

Please allow me to change your example sentences a bit for the sake of explanation.
      [1] I would rather (he tell her than I do).
      [2] I would rather (he told her than I did).
      [3] I would rather (he had told her than I had done).

As you know, "would rather" is equal "wish". Unlike "want" and "hope", "wish" and "would rather" are used to express the subject's desire that is counter-factual (in the case the desire is about a past event or a present event) or can hardly be realized (in the case the desire is about a future event). Because the desire is counter-factual or unrealizable in nature, the sub-clause for the statement of the desire is expressed in subjunctive mood to show its unreality.
      #1 is about an unrealizable future event. "He tell her" is a subjunctive present.
      #2 is about a counter-factual present event. "He told her" is a subjunctive past.
      #3 is about a counter-factual past event. "He had told her" is a subjunctive past perfect.

paco
  
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milky  #208604  Wed, 22 Mar 06 11:48 PM

 Paco2004 wrote:
Hello Eladio


As you know, "would rather" is equal "wish".

paco

Even more equal, "prefer".

  
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paco2004  #208613  Thu, 23 Mar 06 12:20 AM
 Milky wrote:
Even more equal, "prefer".
Quite informative.
  
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