SP 4.3.3

 

Pattern 3

S1 + would rather (that) + S2 + V…

例：Japan’s neighbors would rather (that) the region’s richest economy were growing strongly and buying bucketfuls of their exports.

日本的鄰國寧願該地區最富有的經濟體能持續強大，並持續購買他們大量的輸出品。

 

說明：

I. would rather後的that子句用過去式動詞，表示寧願某人現在或未來去做某事，有禮貌探詢的意味，並不一定表示與事實相反。如為be動詞，was或were都有人用。would (just) as soon也有同樣用法。

a. I would rather you didn’t hang out with Bill.

à I would prefer you not hang out with Bill.

我真希望你不要與比爾鬼混了。

b. Many Canadians would just as soon more government money was directed to health and education.

很多加拿大人希望政府把更多的錢移轉到保健與教育上。

 

II. would rather後的that子句用過去完成式，表示寧願某人過去做某事，但事實上他沒做。然而這種意思較常用I wish的結構來表達。

The educational reform has created more problems than it has solved; therefore, parents and teachers would rather it had never taken place.

教改製造的問題比它解決的還多；因此家長與老師都希望教改不曾發生。

 

III. would rather後的that子句的主詞要與主要子句的主詞不同。如果是指同一人，則用would rather + V的形式表示現在或未來。而would rather have + Vpp是表示寧願過去如何。

a. I would rather not stay at home reading novels.

我真希望不要待在家裡看小說。

b. He would rather have left the room yesterday.

他真希望昨天離開了房間。(事實上沒有離開。)

 

IV. would rather也可以加than。

a. America would rather that Japan joined the UN peace keeping operations than stuck to its constitutional principles.

美國寧願日本加入聯合國維安行動而不是堅持它的憲法原則。

b. He would rather be in prison for his ideas than outside as a slave.

他寧願因他的思想入獄也不願在外當奴隸。

 

練習

I. 替換

範例：I will go instead of you.

    à I would rather you went.

1. You will stay here instead of going.

à____________________________________________________________

2. I will call a taxi instead of you.

à____________________________________________________________

3. You will call a taxi instead of an ambulance.

à ____________________________________________________________

4. He will take the job in Hong Kong rather than in Taipei.

à____________________________________________________________

5. You will place the radio on the desk instead of under it.

à____________________________________________________________

 

II.翻譯：請將下列中文句子翻成英文。

1. 我真希望妳不要在孩子面前抽菸。

______________________________________________________________

2. 我寧願她有純潔的心靈而不是天真的臉。

______________________________________________________________

3. 她真希望你不曾因為那意外而責備他。

______________________________________________________________

4. 我寧願不曾出生也不願丟臉過日子。

______________________________________________________________

5. 他寧願以詩人的身份而非以政客的身份被人懷念。

______________________________________________________________