Construction · C1 · Neutral · common in speech and writing
would rather
Express what you prefer another person to do or not do now or in the future, using a past-simple clause.
više bih voleo / volela da neko...; radije bih da neko...
Memory scene
Two people require two subjects and a step back: I’d rather + you + past form, even when the preference is about tomorrow.
How it sounds
wood RATH-er
Stress rather and the preferred action; would usually reduces in I’d, you’d, or we’d.
Build the sentence
subject 1 + would rather + subject 2 + past simple
Use it
We’d rather the children stayed with us during the storm.
The staying is a present or future preference about different people.
I’d rather you didn’t mention the merger until Friday.
For a negative preference, didn’t belongs inside the second subject’s clause.
Watch out
Use this past-simple pattern when the preferred action has a different subject. With the same subject, use the base verb without to: I’d rather leave, not I’d rather I left or I’d rather to leave. For regret about an earlier action, a past-perfect pattern is needed.
Nearby language
The closest alternative, but it takes an object plus to-infinitive rather than a past-simple clause.
Used when the person with the preference also performs the preferred action: I’d rather stay.
Expresses a desired unreal change, often with more distance or dissatisfaction than a direct preference.
Make it yours
Želite da vam prijatelj sledeći put najavi dolazak telefonom, umesto da se samo pojavi.