Would Rather That

               Preference for Another --- Would Rather That

Remember that when the preference is for another person or thing, “would rather that” introduces a clause. The other person or thing is the subject of the clause. Although the verb is past tense, the preference is for present or future time. Avoid using a present verb word or a verb word instead of a past verb. Avoid using should and a verb word instead of a past verb.

Examples:

      1.   Incorrect: I would rather that you do not do that.

     Correct: I would rather that you did not do that.

       2.  Incorrect: Dayna would rather that her husband doesn’t working so hard.

     Correct: Dayna would rather that her husband didn’t work so hard.

        3.  Incorrect: The dean would rather that students make appointments instead of dropping by.

      Correct: The dean would rather that students made appointment instead of dropping by.

        4.  Incorrect: My roommate would rather that I don’t keep the light on after ten o’clock.

      Correct: My roommate would rather that I didn’t keep the light on after ten o’clock.

        5.  Incorrect: We would rather that you should come tomorrow.

      Correct: We would rather that you came tomorrow.

        6.  Incorrect: A good counselor would rather that the patient will make his or her own 

                              decisions after being helped to arrive at a general understanding of the 

                              alternatives.

      Correct: A good counselor would rather that the patient made his or her own decisions  

                     after being helped to arrive at a general understanding of the alternatives.

         7.  Incorrect: It is said that the American flag has five pointed stars because Betsy Ross told 

                               General Washington she would rather that he changing the six pointed ones.

       Correct: It is said that the American flag has five pointed stars because Betsy Ross told 

                       General Washington she would rather that he changed the six pointed ones.