关于“would rather”引导的从句宾语的时态,需根据所表达的与事实的关系来选择时态,具体规则如下:
一、与现在事实相反
使用一般过去时,表示对现在情况的虚拟假设。例如:
I would rather he werehere now. (现在他不在这里,但说话者希望他现在在)
I would rather it weresunny tomorrow. (明天天气不好,但说话者希望是晴天)
二、与过去事实相反
使用过去完成时,表示对过去情况的虚拟假设。例如:
I would rather he had comeyesterday. (昨天他没来,但说话者希望他昨天来了)
I would rather the letter had arrivedalready. (信还没到,但说话者希望已经到了)
三、与将来事实相反
使用一般过去时(be动词用were)。例如:
I would rather he cametomorrow. (明天他不会来,但说话者希望他明天来)
I would rather we had finishedthe project already. (项目还没完成,但说话者希望已经完成)
四、与现在或将来的事实相反(含条件句)
使用过去完成时,将条件句与主句倒装。例如:
I would rather you had calledme last night. (昨晚你没打电话,但说话者希望打了)
I would rather the meeting had startedalready. (会议还没开始,但说话者希望已经开始)
补充说明
若从句是祈使句,需用过去分词(如had done)。例如:
I would rather you had finishedyour homework.
该结构中通常省略that。
通过以上规则,可灵活处理不同时间背景下的虚拟假设。