"would rather" 引导的从句中的宾语通常采用虚拟语气。具体时态的使用取决于从句所表达的时间与主句所表达的时间之间的关系:
与现在事实相反:
从句使用一般过去时。例如:
I would rather he were here now.
与过去事实相反:
从句使用过去完成时。例如:
I would rather he had come yesterday.
与将来事实相反:
从句使用一般过去时。例如:
I would rather he came tomorrow.
需要注意的是,当 "would rather" 后直接接动词原形时,从句仍然使用虚拟语气,例如:
I would rather buy the coat now.
总结:
与现在事实相反:一般过去时
与过去事实相反:过去完成时
与将来事实相反:一般过去时
这种虚拟语气的用法能够有效地表达说话人的愿望或假设情况,使句子更具表达力和准确性。