UNIT 2.

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MODAL VERBS 9: modal
idioms
I'd rather be a hammer than nail.
You'd better check that your employer is
willing to conhibute.

Both of the)mo-dal idiomi\would rather and had better behave like the central modals (se.
Unit 2.25). Their characteristics are as follows'
(a) They have no non-finite forms. For example, you cannot say:
"to rather/to haae better
*
r athering/ h az'ing be tter.
(b) They are followed bv the infinitive without to. For example:
I'd rather be (rrof *l'd rather to be)
You'd better check (nof *you'd better to check).
(c) There are no other tense forms.
In the example. I'd rather have been, the change in tense is with the infinitive be.
(d) On only two occasions (see below) do they have a negative form:
You must say: I'd rather not be. (Here the negative not belongs to be.)
You cannot say: *1 iuouldn't rather be.
You must say: You had better not check. (Here the negative not belongs to check.)
You cannot sav: *I hadn't better check.

1. Would rather
The idiom would rather expresses a preference and has the same meaning as woulc
prefer.
Look at this examytle:
I'd rather be a hammer than nail.
In this popular song, the singer is saying what he would prefer to be.
Would rather can be used to express a choice about plans or ideas. For example:
The British people have said thev would rather have a good Health Service than gt.
back money in lower taxes.
The interrogative form is also used to show what choices there are for the person bein-
asked. For example:
Would you rather have a government that raised taxes to pay for services you mig:
not want, or a government that cut taxes and let you decide what vou want?
Both the interrogative and negative forms are used to make suggestions. For example
Would you rather stay home tonight?
Wouldn't you rather stay home tonight?
The negative form strengthens the suggestion, almost as if the speaker were trying :
persuade the other person being asked. It is often used when the other person h.:,
planned to do something different. For example:
Let's go to the cinema!
Oh, wouldn't you rather stav home tonight?

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