From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it is used in the sentence I...rather he did not stay

Analyzing the question: The sentence is "I ... rather he did not stay." The gap needs a modal verb that fits the idiom for expressing a preference.

The concept: The idiom is "would rather", which expresses preference. When the preference is about another person's action, the verb after it takes the past tense form (the subjunctive-like use):

• I would rather he did not stay (I prefer that he not stay).
• She would rather we left early.

So the structure is: Subject + would rather + subject + past tense verb.

Testing the options:

• A. "I could rather he did not stay": "could rather" is not an idiom, so it is wrong.
• B. "I should rather he did not stay": "should rather" is sometimes found in very formal British English with "I", but "would rather" is the standard and expected form in WASSCE.
• C. "I will rather he did not stay": "will rather" is a common Nigerian error and is not standard.
• D. "I would rather he did not stay": this is correct and idiomatic.

Answer: D. would

Exam tip: Remember the phrase "would rather", which means "prefer". Whenever you see "rather" in a gap question like this, think "would". Also note that the verb after the second subject goes into the past form (did not stay, left, went), even though the meaning refers to the present or future.