Verbs with for • would rather+ subject + present/past simple is used to

Thank you for your email. express a preference for another person (or thing) to do
I apologise for the delay. something now or in the future. The use of the past simple
1 opted for extra English lessons. expresses the preference more tentatively or politely than
Verbs with in
the present simple.
Meals are included in the price. I would rather she works than does nothing.
I don't believe in lying. He'd rather you didn't tell anyone about the interview yet.
1 took part in a marathon last year. • would prefer+ it if+ object + past simple is used in the
same way.
Verbs with to I'd prefer it if the interviewer asked a range of questions.
I look forward to meeting you. I'd prefer it if they didtt't always fows on the same things
Verbs with on • In formal contexts, the subjunctive is used with would
I drew 011 my experiences to write the essay. rather. Instead of the present simple we use the infinitive
without to; past subjunctive is the same as past simple
Verbs with with
except for be, where the past subjunctive always uses were.
I was provided wit/, lots of information.
I'd rather l,e go now.
Verbs with of I'd rather she were happy in her work.
She reminded me of my mother. • would rather+ have+ past participle is used to express a
preference for one situation or outcome in the past over
another.
Unit 3 When he was young, he'd rather 1,ave been a photographer
Wishes and regrets than an actor.
• would rather+ subject + past perfect is used to express a
wish and if only wish or preference that actions or events in the past were
• wish I if only + past simple is used to express a wish or different.
regret about a general state that exists in the present, or a I'd rather you 1,ad asked me before borrowing the car
usual or regular event or habit. yesterday.
He wisl,es lie was a photographer instead of an actor. T'd rather it hadn't rained all through the holiday.
If only we liad longer holidays.
It's time ...
• wish I if only+ would is also used to express a wish or regret
There are several different structures that can be used with its
about a usual or regular event or habit. We use would when
time. The meanings are very similar - that the time is right for
the person or thing doing the action could change their
something to happen.
behaviour if they chose to. It is often used to complain
about someone's behaviour. It's time+
If 011/ythe children would be quiet. infinitive with to It's time to go home now.
I wisl, you would look for a job.
object+ infinitive It's time for us to go home now.
• wish I if only+ past perfect is used to express a wish or
regret about the past by saying how we would like the past subject+ past simple It's time we went home now.

to be different. subject+ past continuous It's time we were going home now.
1 wislt I lrad trained as a doctor instead of as a teacher. • To say that something should have been done already, about
• wish + infinitive with to is used in more formal situations to time and high time can be used. These also use the past
mean want+ infinitive. Tt can be used to talk about the past, simple.
present or future. It's about time we went home.
Napoleon wislred to keep his battle plans a secret until the It's high time we wettt home.
very last moment.
• Note that when people talk about their wishes for the
future, the verb hope is more often used. Unit 4
Tl,ope you enjoy your stay in our town.
Medals and semi-medals (1)
She hopes to get a job in television.
Modal and semi-modal verbs give an indication of a speaker's
would rather/ would prefer attitude and of the relationship between the speaker and
• would rather+ infinitive without to is used to express a listener.
preference about a general situation or event, or about a
Ability
possible future situation or event.
I'd ratlier work days than nights. • can expresses ability in the present; could expresses general
ability in the past.
• would prefer+ infinitive with to is also used to express a
He's lucky he ca11remember facts very easily.
preference about a _generalsituation or event, or about a
When I was a child I could speak Welsh but now I've
possible future situation or event.
forgotten it completely.
I'd prefer to travel with a group of people.

GRAMMAR FOLDER