Modal Verbs – How to Use ‘I’d Rather Do Something Else’ Grammar Pattern

modal-verbssemi-modalssubjunctives

Example (audio version: http://tindeck.com/listen/wtoo):

You may not have ever come across this before. For example, my food order ID, I want it to be an Autonumber data type because I don't care what the number is. I want it to be a number. But I'd rather Access just take care of making sure that my food order IDs are unique.

Could you please explain to me how this grammar pattern works?

Best Answer

Phew, what an example...

Let's use a shorter example with less tech speak.

  • I'd rather my Mom cook dinner tonight. or
  • I'd rather my Mom cooked dinner tonight.

Pattern:
Subject 1 - would/'d rather - subject 2 - verb - ....

This is a slightly more complex pattern that the would rather - phrases with the same subject (subject - would/'d rather - verb in infinitive/subjunctive); e.g. I'd rather have a cookie (...than ice cream).

This pattern is used to express a preference, but note that the alternative is not always stated expicitly. Quite often, it has to be inferred from the context.

Please note:

  • In AE, both present subjunctive and past subjunctive are gramatically correct.
    Hint for learners: The present subjunctive seems quite similar to the simple present. It can best be recognized by the "missing +s" in 3rd person singular. (-> ...Access take care of...) The past forms are identical. Only exception: The verb "be" has two distict subjunctive forms: be (present) and were (past).

  • In BE, for two different subjects:
    The verb in simple past is used to talk about events in the present or the future.
    For past events, you need to use past perfect.
    See more details: Cambridge University

Therefore, your original example could also be:

But I'd rather Access just took care of making sure that my food order IDs are unique.

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