English grammar
Would Rather
Expresses a personal preference. In everyday speech, the most common form by far is "I'd rather + base verb", used when you're talking about what YOU want to do: "I'd rather stay home." "I'd rather not talk about it." "I'd rather cry than laugh." For preferring what someone ELSE does, English shifts to "I'd rather + subject + past simple": "I'd rather you didn't smoke." "She'd rather we left now." This second form is rarer in unscripted conversation and carries a slightly more formal or indirect tone.
I'd rather + base verb (same subject), or I'd rather + subject + past simple (different subject)
Real Examples from Native Speakers
"And I would rather be rich with a job that I hate because if I'm rich, I don't need to work very much."
Would You Rather Be Rich Or Poor?
How it works
Formula
I'd rather + base verb (same subject), or I'd rather + subject + past simple (different subject)
This page combines the textbook rule with real-world English: every example is an unscripted clip from a real native speaker. You're hearing how this grammar point sounds in real life, not in a classroom.