i’d rather

• L'expression 'I'd rather' (contraction de 'I would rather') est utilisée pour exprimer une préférence pour une option plutôt qu'une autre. Elle peut être suivie d'un infinitif pour les préférences présentes ou futures, ou d'un verbe au passé pour des souhaits hypothétiques ou des formulations polies.

The phrase 'I'd rather' (contraction of 'I would rather') is used to express a preference for one thing over another. It can be followed by a bare infinitive for present or future preferences, or by a past tense verb for hypothetical or polite expressions.

StructuresI · would · rather · SLOT

1. Express a personal preferenceA2informal

   Used to state what you prefer to do or have in a given situation, comparing it implicitly or explicitly with another option.

   Je préférerais

   • I'd rather stay home than go to the party.
   • She said she'd rather take the train.
   • I'd rather not talk about it.

2. Preference regarding another person's actionB1formal

   Expresses what you would like someone else to do, using 'I'd rather' followed by a subject and a past tense verb for present or future situations.

   Préférence concernant l'action d'une autre personne

   • I'd rather you told me the truth.
   • I'd rather he didn't come to the meeting.
   • They'd rather we arrived earlier tomorrow.

3. Hypothetical preferenceB2informal

   Indicates what you would prefer in a hypothetical or unreal situation, often used with past perfect to express regret about the past.

   préférence hypothétique

   • I'd rather have gone to the beach yesterday.
   • She'd rather you had called her earlier.
   • I'd rather not have seen that.