Would rather / sooner

BARE INFINITIVE for preferences

would + rather/sooner + bare infinitive

• used for personal preference or about somebody else's preference.
• can refer to present time

I'd rather be a miner than a bank clerk.
He'd rather (not) go by car.

The PAST tense with PRESENT or FUTURE reference

would + rather/sooner + clause

• we use this when we want to say what we would prefer someone or something else to do or to be
• can introduce a clause with its own subject

I'd rather Jack left on an earlier train.

I'd raher you were happy.

I'd rahter she sat next to me.

The PAST PERFECT with PAST reference

I'd rather you had been present.
I'd rather he hadn't told me about it.