Problems With Verbs (9): Preference.

(I would rather drive)

- (S): I
- (would rather): would rather
- (Verb word): drive

( I would rather not drive)

- (S): I
- (would rather): would rather
- (not): not
- (Verb word): drive

Avoid using an infinitive or an (- ing) form instead of a verb word.

(I would rather that you drove)

- (S): I
- (would rather): would rather
- (that): that
- (S): you
- (V[past]): drove

Avoid using present verb or a verb word instead of a past verb. Avoid using (should) and a verb word instead of a past verb.

(I would rather that you didn't drive)

- (S): I
- (would rather): would rather
- (that): that
- (S): you
- (didn't): didn't
- (verb word): drive

Avoid using (don't) or (doesn't) instead of (didn't).

Examples:

Incorrect: (I'd rather that you don't do) that.
Correct: (I'd rather that you didn't do) that.

Incorrect: She told me that (she'd rather not to serve) on the committee.
Correct: she told me that (she'd rather not serve) on the committee.

Incorrect: If you don't mind, (I'd rather not going).
Correct: If you don't mind, (I'd rather not go).

Incorrect: He said that (he'd rather went) to a small college instead of to a large university.
Correct: He said that (he'd rather go) to a small college instead of to a large university.

Incorrect: (We'd rather that you should come) tomorrow.
Correct: (We'd rather that you came) tomorrow.