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I'd rather you not vs I'd rather you didn't

Both phrases are correct. They are used to express a preference or a request for someone not to do something. The difference between them is mainly a matter of personal preference and style.
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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 11, 2024 • 29058 views

I'd rather you not

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express a preference or a request for someone not to do something.

Examples:

  • I'd rather you not smoke in the house.
  • I'd rather you not tell anyone about this.
  • I'd rather you not eat that cake.
  • I'd rather you not come to the party.
  • I'd rather you not interrupt me while I'm speaking.
  • Jan 19, 2012 ... I'd rather you not mention vs I'd rather you didn't mention. Thread starter emilita; Start date Jan 19, 2012 · E · emilita. Senior Member.
  • Oct 5, 2015 ... I guess it may be correct grammatically, but this is a form you would never hear. "I'll cook for you." "I'd rather you not." or "I'd rather ...
  • Nov 23, 2021 ... You can say 'I'd rather you not tell me' if they haven't told you yet, but might. – Michael Harvey. Commented Nov 23, 2021 at 10:06.
  • Oct 19, 2015 ... I'd Rather You Not Read This Post about Edward Tufte. Report this article; Close menu.
  • Aug 28, 2019 ... ... I'd rather you not, thanks”. Or I'd just cut it even shorter and say “I'd really rather not” or “please don't “. Upvote 2. Downvote Award
  • Aug 9, 2016 ... Why I'd Rather You Not Call My Daughter “Pretty” ... Dear Dad,. My husband and I have noticed that you talk about our daughter's beauty a ton.
  • Nov 24, 2019 ... No Mr. Connors, I'd rather you not send cleaning staff to my penthouse garage at this time. SNAPMATIC.
  • May 1, 2006 ... The most formal way of saying this is, “I'd rather you not smoke.” The verb “smoke” is in the subjunctive and is not marked for person or ...
  • Apr 7, 2021 ... Synonym for I'd rather you not speak to me like that in front of the customers they are both correct the first one is more formal and sounds ...

Alternatives:

  • I would prefer if you didn't
  • I would rather you refrain from
  • I would rather you abstain from
  • I would rather you avoid
  • I would rather you steer clear of

I'd rather you didn't

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express a preference or a request for someone not to do something.

Examples:

  • I'd rather you didn't smoke in the house.
  • I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about this.
  • I'd rather you didn't eat that cake.
  • I'd rather you didn't come to the party.
  • I'd rather you didn't interrupt me while I'm speaking.
  • Nov 5, 2014 ... "I'd rather you didn't if you don't mind"--Doesn't that sound more polite than "I really do not want you to post it"?
  • Jan 18, 2019 ... I'd rather you didn't. -> why "did"? In this sentence, is "did" a hypothetical past form or the past for politeness or both?
  • Jun 15, 2007 ... Hello, Which is correct?: I'd rather you didn't say that. I'd rather you don't say that. Thanks!
  • 'I'd rather you didn't come': The impact of stigma on exercising with epilepsy. J Health Psychol. 2019 Sep;24(10):1345-1355. doi: 10.1177/1359105317729560 ...
  • Rebecca Lowe: I'd rather you didn't go to watch strippers. But I don't think the state should stop you. January 31, 2018 | Rebecca Lowe | Columnists.
  • Jun 20, 2024 ... 12K likes, 95 comments - bethmaymccarthy on June 20, 2024: "no sophie i'd rather you didn't invite your boyfriend tbh #bi #pride #wlw #queer ...
  • Recognized by The New York Times as a best gift for kids! January 6, 2023. Here Are a Few Things I'd Rather You Didn't Say During My C-Section ...
  • Sep 21, 2023 ... There is a subtle difference in the mood of the sentence, as "I'd rather you didn't" uses the subjunctive mood to negatively refer to a ...
  • Nov 29, 2019 ...I'd rather you didn't do that.” “He'd rather I waited inside the house.” There is no reason not to use two verbs, as in your sentence ...
  • Aug 28, 2019 ... The past is used for sentences like. "Do you mind if I open the door? I'd rather you didn't. Can I say it in the following ways?

Alternatives:

  • I would prefer if you didn't
  • I would rather you refrain from
  • I would rather you abstain from
  • I would rather you avoid
  • I would rather you steer clear of

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