原书 PDF 第 1784—1785 页
“Do you feel like ____ or shall we go by bus?” “I prefer to walk, but I’d rather you ____ a taxi, for time is short.” A. walking; take B. to walk; take C. walking; took D. to walk; took 《高中英语解题题典》(东北师大出版社,p.96)给的答案是C。能否选A呢?
首先应当肯定该书所给的答案是正确的，见上条。但是，必须指出，上题出得不大好。
因为选项 A 也是正确的, 尽管用得较少。M. Swan 在 PEU(95 年版, § 469) 中明确指出: 在这一结构里有时也可以使用现在时:
I'd rather you go home now. 我宁愿你现在就回家。
I'd rather we had dinner now. 请问句中的虚拟语气过去时 had 是表示与事实相反的情况吗？
虚拟语气过去时常常表示与现在事实相反的情况。例如：
If he were here, I would speak to him. 要是他在这儿的话,我就会跟他说了。
If she were alive... 要是她还活着的话……(事实是:她已不在世了。)
If I spoke English fluently... 要是我英语说得流利的话……(事实是:我的英语说得不流利。)
If only Marx were still by my side to see this with his own eyes! 如果马克思今天还能同我站在一起亲眼看见这种情景,那该多好啊!
但是,在 would rather (that) X did 结构中虚拟语气过去式(did)只是表示探询式的礼貌,而并不一定表示与事实相反(参见 I'd rather)。你所提问的句子的意思是:我真希望我们现在吃饭。类例:
I would rather you started off right away. 我真希望你马上就动身。
I'd rather I were in bed. 我真希望我躺在床上。
I'd rather you didn't mention the price. 我真希望你不提价格。
Many residents would rather that the bus service were subsidized. (CGEL) 许多居民希望公共汽车服务能够得到补助。
I'd rather you were happy. (LEG) 我宁愿你是幸福的。
如果指过去,就必须使用过去完成时:
I'd rather you had been present. (LEG) 我宁愿你当时在场。
I would rather you ____ at once.
“I blamed her yesterday.” “I would rather you ____.”
——Do you mind if I keep pets in this building? ——____.
You don't have to be in such a hurry. I would rather you ____ on business first.
I'd rather you ____ make any comment on the issue for the time being.
Wouldn't you rather your child ____ to bed early?
The manager would rather his daughter ____ in the same office.