rather

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. Would you rather I did it?
  2. Would you make I did it?
  3. Would rather I did it?
  4. Would I did it?
    Please explain the validity of each question.
    I am perplexed with the use of ‘rather’.
    Please explain the use of ‘rather’ in this context.
2

Only the first is correct.

‘Rather’ means the same as ‘prefer’ there. (Would it be your preference that I should do it?)

3

Thanks Beeesneees,

I understood the sentence above by using your approach. However, I would like to ask some questions.

Is “Would you RATHER I did it?” = “Would you PREFER I did it?”?

If so, can we call “RATHER” a verb in this case? I have consulted in many dictionaries and nowhere it is listed as a verb. And therefore, I think that is not true.

To me this seems more correct.
would rather = would prefer

4

Would you rather I did it?
is the question inversion form of the statement
You would rather I did it.

Would you prefer that I did it?
is the inverted form of
You would prefer that I did it.

In all cases ‘would’ is the verb.

5

Beeesneees,
For “Would you rather I did it?”
can I say?: “Would you rather I do it?”

6

That’s possible but not as popular a choice.
These days you will also hear ‘Would you rather me do it’ informally.