2. Preference

I He, she, it We You, they

had rather (sooner) do sth. had rather (sooner) not do sth.

E.g. I had rather pay them a visit.

The pattern “sb. had rather do/not do sth.” is seldom used in modern English. The Conditional Mood pattern “sb. would rather do/not do sth.” is commonly used.

I He, she, it We You, they

would rather (sooner) do sth. would rather (sooner) not do sth.

E.g. I would rather stay home.

E.g. He would much rather use his credit card.

We use would rather to express preference.

E.g. I’d rather have a rest now.

E.g. We’d rather not take this chance.

E.g. Would you rather go out?

Subjunctive II is used in object clauses

Subjunctive II is used in object clauses referred to the other doer of the action.

I He, she, it We You, they

would rather had rather

sb. sb.

did sth. had done sth.

E.g. I would rather you didn’t do it. We’d rather he had told us everything.

The subjects in both clauses must be different.

When the action is referred to the present or future, the Non-Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used.

E.g. I’d rather you called her right now.

E.g. I’m afraid it won’t do. I’d rather we made an earlier appointment.

When the action is referred to the past, the Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used.

E.g. I’d rather you hadn’t bought that expensive dress.

Exercise 29. Make up sentences.

I He She They We

would rather

leave for the country than stay in town take a walk take the exam tomorrow stay at home drop in on Jim and Mary wait for you here if you don’t mind have dinner later, I’m not hungry yet do it myself we stay in and watch TV have a glass of still water

Exercise 30. Express your opposite preference using I would rather do/not do sth.

Model: I want to leave now. – 1. And I’d rather stay.

– 2. I’d rather you didn’t leave.

1. We decided to buy that house.

2. I want to have dinner at this restaurant.

3. He’s going to Spain. Would you like to go to Spain?

4. I am going to refuse him.

5. He is will sell his old car to some friend from work.

6. I’m going to invite the Reeds to our housewarming party.

7. Chad doesn’t want to go to the cinema. Do you?

8. They’ll go to the club next week.

9. I’d like to have a piece of apple pie for dessert.

10. I know, it’s important, but it’s late to make a phone call now.

11. Would you like a banana?

12. I don’t like horror movies.

Exercise 31. Respond according to the model using I’d rather.

Model: The weather has changed. – I’d rather stay indoors.

1. I’m thirsty. 2. I don’t want to read this novel in Russian. 3. I’m not going to speak with him now. 4. I don’t normally eat soup. 5. It will take us an hour to get there by bus. 6. I’m so tired after the exam. 7. I’m not hungry. 8. I’m airsick. 9. I don’t know much on the subject. 10. This restaurant is crowded at this time.

Exercise 32. Answer the following questions using I’d rather.

Model: Shall we use the lift? (walk) – I’d rather walk. It’s a good exercise.

1. Shall we have dinner? (snack)

2. Will you join us? (stay here)

3. Are you going to present her with flowers? (buy something else)

4. Will you watch this film tonight? (go to bed earlier)

5. Shall I pack your things for you? (do it myself)

6. Will you explain the meaning of this word? (consult the dictionary first)

7. Will you have some ice-cream? (have some fruit).

8. Are you buying this car? (wait for the discount)

9. Are you going with us? (finish my work).

10. Will you have some tea? (have black coffee)

Exercise 33. Rewrite the second sentence in each conversation with I’d rather we, you, they, etc. did sth./had done sth.

Model: - He has parked his car in front of the house.

- I’d like him to drive it to the garage. - I’d rather he drove it to the garage.

- I will never speak to him again!

- I don’t want you to overreact. - I’d rather you didn’t overreact.

1. - May I check your mail?

- No, you may not. John will.

2. - I’ll close the window, it’s chilly here.

• Don’t. We need some fresh air. Put a sweater on.

3. - You need to talk to her about it.

- No, you talk to her.

4. – They have finished working with the new project.

- They should have completed working with the previous one first.

5. - How many times am I supposed to repeat it?

- I don’t want you to shout at me.

6. - It’s good we didn’t go to the country, isn’t it?

- I’m not sure. We’d have enjoyed it.

7. - She came to that party! I still cannot believe it.

- I wasn’t excited about her coming either.

8. - We have an excursion scheduled for all of you.

- I am sorry, but we want some free time.

9. - Aunt Anne wants to join us for the weekend.

- Oh, no, not again! She is such a nagger.

10. – I’ve brought you lunch. How about some nice Chinese food?

- I wanted you to buy me Italian lunch.

11. - I’d like you to sign this document.

- Well, I wouldn’t like to take responsibility. Let Ms Dee do it.

Exercise 34. Translate into English using your Active Grammar. State the function of Subjunctive II.

1. Вам лучше не спорить с ней. Она очень упрямая. 2. Я бы предпочла, чтобы вы этого не делали. 3. Лучше бы ты взял с собой зонтик, сегодня обещали дождь во второй половине дня. 4. Мы бы предпочли, чтобы вы сами сказали ей всю правду. 5. Я, пожалуй, все запишу, чтобы не забыть. 6. Но это же обычная простуда! Ты бы лучше относился к этому проще. 7. Тебе лучше узнать все самому, это твоя работа. 8. На всякий случай я, пожалуй, закажу билеты заранее. 9. Вы бы лучше регулярно посещали занятия. 10. Я бы предпочла лететь самолетом, но цены на билеты сейчас так повысились. 11. Не лучше ли вам подождать ее здесь? 12. Я думаю, я лучше приму душ. 13. Лучше не заказывай этот суп, он тебе не понравится. 14. Я бы предпочел, чтобы ты отвечал первым. 15. Поверь мне, тебе лучше сейчас отдохнуть.

3. wish

If only

sb. did sth. sb. had done sth. sb. could do sth. sb. could have done sth.

E.g. If only I had got that prize!

If only is used to show a more emphatic contradiction to reality.

To refer the action to:

1) the present we use the Non-Perfect form of Subjunctive II

E.g. If only I knew German well.

E.g. If only I were there now!

2) the past we use the Perfect form of Subjunctive II

E.g. If only we had followed his advice, we would have been more successful in this project.

3) the future we use the Non-Perfect form of the Conditional Mood

E.g. If only it could stop raining.

E.g. If only I could have rescued him.

Exercise 35. Make up sentences beginning with If only sb. did/had done sth., If only sb. could do/could have done sth.

Model: He is so rude! – If only he were not so rude.

1. We don’t have a car.

2. I left my passport at the reception.

3. It is raining on and on!

4. I lost my gift of story telling.

5. He didn’t write to me.

6. She isn’t sincere.

7. Sam was offered to move.

8. Oh, no! The battery is low.

9. I feel bored when the Schultz are around.

10. I must go for a drive in the morning. Hope it won’t snow.

11. We didn’t understand anything, she spoke French.

12. I really care for you, don’t you know that?

Exercise 36. Translate into English using your recent Active Grammar.

1. Если бы только они приехали вовремя. Я так не люблю, когда гости опаздывают. 2. – Ах, если я был моложе! – Генри, прекрати так смотреть на эту девушку! 3. Если бы только я был внимательнее, когда я писал проверочную работу! 4. Ах, если бы она согласилась поехать вместе с нами. 5. Ах, если бы ты только мог понять меня! 6. Они против моего решения. Если бы только я промолчал на собрании! 7. – Я не вижу другого выхода из ситуации, мы должны ехать. – Ах, если бы только у него был сотовый телефон! Да, мы должны ехать. 8. Если бы ты только понимал, насколько это смешно. 9. Если бы я знал, что у нее день рождения. Теперь мне придется извиняться, что у меня нет подарка. 10. Ах, если бы только я купила то платье! Сейчас я бы не ломала голову над тем, что одеть на вечеринку.