核心问题
（1）“John wants to see you today.”“I would rather he ____ tomorrow than today.” A. comes B. came C. should come D. has come(TOEFL)
(2) I ____ have coffee than tea. A. like more to B. prefer C. would rather D. had better(Nelson, 250A) 请分析上面两句中 would rather。
词典解答
句(2)中的 would(rather)与动词原形连用,可看做是情态动词(宁愿);句(1)中 would(rather)可看作是及物动词,与宾语从句连用,表示愿望;如果宾语从句中谓语动词使用过去完成时,则表示与过去事实相反的愿望。请对比下列实例:
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I'll never be dependent on anyone again. I'd rather starve. (Walpole) 我将再也不依赖任何人。我宁愿挨饿。
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I'd rather you told me the truth. (Eckersley) 我宁愿你说实话。
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I'd rather you hadn't told me about it. 我宁愿你未曾把这件事告诉我。