Feb 25, 2005 13:25
19 yrs ago
English term
Russian Federation
Professional interpreting/translation
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Ukrainian to English, and 1 more.
I'd have much rather you didn't say that
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Fiction
A woman hears a hint to a bad news and says:
'I'd have much rather you didn't say that'
'I'd have much rather you didn't say that'
Responses
+7
3 mins
Alexander Demyanov
Specializes in field
Software Engineering background
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English, Russian, Russian to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
38
Selected
I would prefer not to hear that (not to learn the news)
Probably implying "I would prefer if the bad thing had not happened"
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Dylan Edwards
24 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Tanja Kaether (X)
33 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Nesrin
: The tense "I would have much rather" implies "I would have preferred..."
38 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Patrick McKeown
40 mins
|
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Thank you!
|
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| agree |
Maria Chmelarova
41 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Tony M
51 mins
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
2 days 2 hrs
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Thank you!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "The grammar is poor, because a very simple woman speaks - throughout the book. Thank you, Alexander! That's what context implies."
-1
1 min
I hoped you didn't say that
...that's the meaning
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
Tony M
: ...inasmuch as the speaker's remark is not in the past tense, and the sense is not really 'hoped' but as others have said, 'would have preferred...'
51 mins
|
2 mins
I know, no need to say it.
She knows what the bad news is going to be and doesn't want to hear it.
6 mins
Clauwolf
Specializes in field
This is just one more trouble for me
:)
+1
27 mins
extremely poor grammar
'I'd have much rather you didn't say that'
means: I would have much preferred (it) (things) had you not said that
means: I would have much preferred (it) (things) had you not said that
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Patrick McKeown
: with your remark about the grammar but maybe the author wants his/her character to speak in an affected way?
16 mins
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Could be, artistic license I suppose CHeers,
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| neutral |
Tony M
: It's not POOR grammar, just a certain style of spoken English that was very common amongst certain educational classes, during a certain period; the author has captured it perfectly.
28 mins
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The grammar stinks Dusty "I'd have much rather?" Much rather what?
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Discussion