Sebagai subjunctive, ungkapan ini dipergunakan untuk menyatakan suatu preference, yaitu subjek pertama lebih suka subjek kedua untuk melakukan/tidak melakukan sesuatu, namun keinginan itu tidak terpenuhi.

S1 + would rather + that* + S2 + past tense

S1 + would rather + that* + S2 + past perfect tense

* that dapat dihilangkan.

Contoh:

I would rather that he studied hard.

(Real fact : He doesn’t study hard.)

I would rather you helped her.

(Real fact : You don’t help her.)

I would rather they had played well.

(Real fact : They didn’t play well.)

I would rather Heru hadn’t done such a silly thing.

(Real fact : Heru did such a silly thing.)