Which one is correct?

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Locked
ozlembal
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 11:18 pm
Status: Learner of English

Which one is correct?

Post by ozlembal »

"I'd rather you explained to her why we can't go" or "I'd rather you would explain to her why we can't go"?

Why first one is the correct one? Is it because of indirect speech but if it's second one fits as well since will becomes would?

Or is it because first one is correct because would ("I would rather") is already used in the first part of the sentence thus it isn't appropriate to use would ("you would explain") in the second part of the sentence?
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15207
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Re: Which one is correct?

Post by Alan »

It simply happens that 'would rather (you) DID smth.' is the standard construction.

'Did' here is technically classified as a past subjunctive.
Locked