有一读者问： 有这样一道选择填空题：
(1)I would rather_________Switzerland the week after next.
A. they are leaving for
B. they leave for
C. they left for
D. they will leave for
请问用哪一个填空合适？ 为什么？
这里应填以C，即they left for。在较古的英语中亦可用they should leave for或they leave for，但现已废弃，或是很少见了。对于我国学生来说，当然应该用过去式left。不过，应该指出的是： 不论用上述哪一种时态，它们皆属于虚拟语气。为什么要用虚拟语气呢？ 这是因为主句中的would rather是虚拟语气，表示一种选择性的主观愿望。说来有趣，would rather本与would无关，而是从虚拟过去式had rather变来。 在当代英语里，偶尔仍可遇到 had rather，不过较为文气罢了。我国学生应该多用would rather，少用或不用had rather。在口语中，则常用缩略式'd rather。它的主要用法有二：
1. 后接不带to的不定式，如：
(2)I'd rather like a cup of tea.
(3)I would rather die than yield.
(4)Would you rather stay here or go home?
2. 后接不用连词的名词性that从句，从句的谓语动词用过去式，如：
(5)I'd rather you went home now.
(6)Don't come tomorrow. I'd rather you came next week.
(7)He says he'd rather you came to him, darling.
