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Is “what would you rather she does?” grammatically correct?


Is “rather” shifting to become a verb?“She did X with the same enthusiasm she would have done Y.”to have more work given herWhich is correct? She said it was more beautiful, didn't she or wasn't it?Would rather that … than (to) doIs “has it rained” an incorrect question?I have not invited her to the party vs I didn't invite her to the party“Check if you haven't” or “check if you have” left anything behind?Why should an article be placed before “business lunch or dinner?”is this question grammatically correct?Is “know not” grammatically correct?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








3















Someone said "what would you rather her do?". It didn't sound correct to me. So, I said it's "what would you rather she does?". Someone else said it isn't correct either and said it's "what would you rather have her do?". This sounded better to me, but I want to know if I was wrong.










share|improve this question






















  • What was the preceding sentence?

    – Lawrence
    Feb 25 at 15:17











  • "correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

    – Mitch
    Feb 25 at 17:15











  • She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

    – Jackson
    Feb 25 at 17:25


















3















Someone said "what would you rather her do?". It didn't sound correct to me. So, I said it's "what would you rather she does?". Someone else said it isn't correct either and said it's "what would you rather have her do?". This sounded better to me, but I want to know if I was wrong.










share|improve this question






















  • What was the preceding sentence?

    – Lawrence
    Feb 25 at 15:17











  • "correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

    – Mitch
    Feb 25 at 17:15











  • She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

    – Jackson
    Feb 25 at 17:25














3












3








3


1






Someone said "what would you rather her do?". It didn't sound correct to me. So, I said it's "what would you rather she does?". Someone else said it isn't correct either and said it's "what would you rather have her do?". This sounded better to me, but I want to know if I was wrong.










share|improve this question














Someone said "what would you rather her do?". It didn't sound correct to me. So, I said it's "what would you rather she does?". Someone else said it isn't correct either and said it's "what would you rather have her do?". This sounded better to me, but I want to know if I was wrong.







grammar






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Feb 25 at 15:02









JacksonJackson

161




161












  • What was the preceding sentence?

    – Lawrence
    Feb 25 at 15:17











  • "correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

    – Mitch
    Feb 25 at 17:15











  • She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

    – Jackson
    Feb 25 at 17:25


















  • What was the preceding sentence?

    – Lawrence
    Feb 25 at 15:17











  • "correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

    – Mitch
    Feb 25 at 17:15











  • She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

    – Jackson
    Feb 25 at 17:25

















What was the preceding sentence?

– Lawrence
Feb 25 at 15:17





What was the preceding sentence?

– Lawrence
Feb 25 at 15:17













"correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

– Mitch
Feb 25 at 17:15





"correctness" questions are more appropriate on ELL.SE

– Mitch
Feb 25 at 17:15













She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

– Jackson
Feb 25 at 17:25






She was going to have a meeting tomorrow, so she had to reschedule her lecture, because she's a lecturer. But, it was not going to be okay with some students. So, one of them asked one of the whiners, "what would you rather her do?".

– Jackson
Feb 25 at 17:25











7 Answers
7






active

oldest

votes


















1














Yes, rather her do is grammatical.



Compare rather me do.



A pronoun in the objective case is licensed by the verb rather.



This is also valid:



What would you rather she say?






share|improve this answer

























  • Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Feb 25 at 17:35






  • 2





    @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

    – TRomano
    Feb 25 at 17:41












  • That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Feb 25 at 17:49







  • 1





    I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

    – TRomano
    Feb 25 at 18:29







  • 2





    @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

    – sumelic
    Feb 25 at 18:48



















0














Here are two (of many more) ways to express the sentiment:




  1. What would you rather have her do?



and




  1. What would you rather she did?






share|improve this answer























  • What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

    – TrevorD
    Feb 28 at 15:17











  • The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

    – Ricky
    Feb 28 at 15:22











  • I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

    – TrevorD
    Feb 28 at 15:26











  • @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

    – Ricky
    Mar 1 at 2:47


















0














It is difficult for one who is not a trained linguistics/grammar expert to sort this one out.
However my native ear tells me that all of the following are idiomatic, and in daily use in GB.



What would you rather she do. (Some might argue that does could be substituted here, but I certainly prefer do)



What would you rather her do.



What would you rather have her do.






share|improve this answer






























    -1














    Turning to old reliable Will Shakespeare (in As You Like It)



     ...Truly, I would 
    The gods had made thee poetical.


    The verb in this problem is "would". "Rather" is simply an adverb, with no particular consequence.



    An Elizabethan-ish dialogue:



    I would she had done something else.
    What would you she had done?
    But soft! She is still doing that terrible thing.
    What would you she were doing?
    Ah, she has stopped and asks now for guidance.
    What would you she do?


    Put in "rather," well, as you like it.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

      – Lambie
      Feb 25 at 19:45











    • @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

      – remarkl
      Feb 25 at 20:26







    • 1





      It does not correspond to the question as asked.

      – Lambie
      Feb 25 at 22:59











    • Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

      – remarkl
      Feb 25 at 23:08


















    -1














    "What would you rather she do?" is correct, because it requires present tense, singular.



    "Does" is for ongoing action, so it would not be correct. "Do" is for singular subjects and single actions, with auxiliary verbs (can, should, etc). "Can she do it?" not "can she does it?" ("She does it all the time," however.)



    "What did she do?" and "What should she do?" are correct in subject-verb agreement and tense.



    Using "her", the objective form of "she," is not correct either.



    She - does something (action). "She goes to bed early." "She can fly high."

    (Action) -- to her (object of verb). "He read it to her."





    share|improve this answer






























      -1














      Examples of subject + would rather



      • I'd rather he leave now. Or: I'd rather he left now.

      • I'd rather he do the work now. Or: I'd rather he did the work now.

      • What would you rather she do? Or: What would you rather she did?


      • I'd rather he left now. [also]


      • I'd rather he did the work now. [also]

      • What would you rather she did? [also]

      she does and her do don't work here.



      The third-person singular s or es morpheme is not used after "would rather": subject ][I,we, etc.] would rather.



      The choices are present simple without the third person singular morphemes (s or es) or simple past.



      Real World Examples:



      Arsenal can’t win for losing
      20
      What would you rather they do: something or nothing?What would you rather they do?



      "Seriously - read what you typed. By far the biggest element of fuel is tax. The government should reduce the tax. And pay for what how???? Sadly the only means of raising revenue is.... tax. What would you rather they do? Shut your local hospital to pay for your drive down the motorway? Jeez."



      what would you rather they do?



      "The public has indicated that they would rather he do this than increase taxes."
      would rather he do



      Followed by simple past:



      But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told ITV News that he would "have a discussion" with Rosena Allin-Khan, who is a shadow minister, about her appearance at the rally: "She's entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal."



      would rather plus simple past



      Firstly, according to 3,000 voters asked by the website Politico, 47 per cent of voters want Theresa May to compromise and reach a deal with the European Union, compared to 35 per cent who would rather she walked away without one. Indeed, 53 per cent of voters to 47 would rather we stayed in the European Union than exited with no deal in place.
      https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-conservatives-brexit-no-deal-politics-westminster-leadership-a8618456.html






      share|improve this answer

























      • -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Mar 28 at 8:07











      • @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

        – Lambie
        Mar 28 at 13:17


















      -2














      This is called causative.



      The subject of the action/sentence is you, who is the cause of an action of a second person. Even though it might seem that the verb is an action that she will do, this is not the case. The action is done by you. The action is to make her do or have her do. In your case, it has been shortened to her do. This is the verb that you do.



      I am not sure if the omission of the verb make or have is considered undesirable. It is definitely used as you wrote it.



      It is very common to express causative value using make/have + noun + bare infinitive. The bare infinitive is the action that noun will do. In your case the do is the bare infinitive.



      But since the sentence is really expressing an action of its subject you, it would be the verb make/have the one that carries the declination by person. For example:




      She makes her do.




      Because some are confused about it. - There are many ways in which a sentence can have causative value. Your example is but one of them. Causative value can be constructed also using have + noun + past participle as in




      She had him killed.







      share|improve this answer

























      • good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

        – lbf
        Feb 25 at 15:24






      • 2





        This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

        – user888379
        Feb 25 at 15:50











      • @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

        – user337754
        Feb 25 at 16:18







      • 1





        I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

        – Peter Shor
        Feb 25 at 16:31







      • 1





        I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

        – Peter Shor
        Feb 25 at 16:34











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      7 Answers
      7






      active

      oldest

      votes








      7 Answers
      7






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      1














      Yes, rather her do is grammatical.



      Compare rather me do.



      A pronoun in the objective case is licensed by the verb rather.



      This is also valid:



      What would you rather she say?






      share|improve this answer

























      • Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:35






      • 2





        @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 17:41












      • That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:49







      • 1





        I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 18:29







      • 2





        @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

        – sumelic
        Feb 25 at 18:48
















      1














      Yes, rather her do is grammatical.



      Compare rather me do.



      A pronoun in the objective case is licensed by the verb rather.



      This is also valid:



      What would you rather she say?






      share|improve this answer

























      • Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:35






      • 2





        @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 17:41












      • That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:49







      • 1





        I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 18:29







      • 2





        @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

        – sumelic
        Feb 25 at 18:48














      1












      1








      1







      Yes, rather her do is grammatical.



      Compare rather me do.



      A pronoun in the objective case is licensed by the verb rather.



      This is also valid:



      What would you rather she say?






      share|improve this answer















      Yes, rather her do is grammatical.



      Compare rather me do.



      A pronoun in the objective case is licensed by the verb rather.



      This is also valid:



      What would you rather she say?







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Feb 25 at 17:08

























      answered Feb 25 at 16:59









      TRomanoTRomano

      17.9k22249




      17.9k22249












      • Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:35






      • 2





        @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 17:41












      • That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:49







      • 1





        I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 18:29







      • 2





        @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

        – sumelic
        Feb 25 at 18:48


















      • Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:35






      • 2





        @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 17:41












      • That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        Feb 25 at 17:49







      • 1





        I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

        – TRomano
        Feb 25 at 18:29







      • 2





        @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

        – sumelic
        Feb 25 at 18:48

















      Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      Feb 25 at 17:35





      Rather is not a verb, but an adverb. “What would you rather her do” is completely ungrammatical to me, and I wouldn’t actually have thought it was grammatical anywhere, but the quotes you link to make a strong case that this isn’t so. I suppose it’s a case of would licensing an infinitival phrase complement with an overt subject for some, but not for others.

      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      Feb 25 at 17:35




      2




      2





      @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

      – TRomano
      Feb 25 at 17:41






      @Janus Bahs Jacquet: IMO rather has been reanalyzed as a verb in such constructions. Compare: google.com/…

      – TRomano
      Feb 25 at 17:41














      That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      Feb 25 at 17:49






      That seems unlikely to me. If so, it’s a very peculiar one, at least. I am not aware of any other verb in the English language that has no tensed forms and cannot appear as the matrix verb in a clause. There are no such forms as rathers and rathered that I’ve ever heard of, and a number of other matrix verb tests (passivisation, tags, etc.) also fail. I can’t think of anything that would indicate that rather has been reanalysed as a verb. I rather you [verb] is much more easily explained as colloquial deletion of ’d (cf. you better/best go).

      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      Feb 25 at 17:49





      1




      1





      I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

      – TRomano
      Feb 25 at 18:29






      I'm saying that for some contemporary speakers rather is much like would have there. "What would you have me do?" can be paraphrased as "What do you want me to do then?" Use of the objective pronouns with rather is quite common in AmE.

      – TRomano
      Feb 25 at 18:29





      2




      2





      @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

      – sumelic
      Feb 25 at 18:48






      @JanusBahsJacquet: TRomano is correct that at least some speakers have reanalyzed "rather" as a verb. See the quote in my answer here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/688/… Forms with verbal suffixes like "would have rathered" are attested.

      – sumelic
      Feb 25 at 18:48














      0














      Here are two (of many more) ways to express the sentiment:




      1. What would you rather have her do?



      and




      1. What would you rather she did?






      share|improve this answer























      • What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:17











      • The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

        – Ricky
        Feb 28 at 15:22











      • I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:26











      • @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

        – Ricky
        Mar 1 at 2:47















      0














      Here are two (of many more) ways to express the sentiment:




      1. What would you rather have her do?



      and




      1. What would you rather she did?






      share|improve this answer























      • What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:17











      • The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

        – Ricky
        Feb 28 at 15:22











      • I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:26











      • @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

        – Ricky
        Mar 1 at 2:47













      0












      0








      0







      Here are two (of many more) ways to express the sentiment:




      1. What would you rather have her do?



      and




      1. What would you rather she did?






      share|improve this answer













      Here are two (of many more) ways to express the sentiment:




      1. What would you rather have her do?



      and




      1. What would you rather she did?







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Feb 25 at 16:24









      RickyRicky

      14.6k53782




      14.6k53782












      • What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:17











      • The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

        – Ricky
        Feb 28 at 15:22











      • I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:26











      • @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

        – Ricky
        Mar 1 at 2:47

















      • What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:17











      • The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

        – Ricky
        Feb 28 at 15:22











      • I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

        – TrevorD
        Feb 28 at 15:26











      • @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

        – Ricky
        Mar 1 at 2:47
















      What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

      – TrevorD
      Feb 28 at 15:17





      What is your answer to the Q., which was "Is 'what would you rather she does?' grammatically correct?"?

      – TrevorD
      Feb 28 at 15:17













      The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

      – Ricky
      Feb 28 at 15:22





      The answer is no. I thought that was pretty obvious, but now I realize I was wrong.

      – Ricky
      Feb 28 at 15:22













      I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

      – TrevorD
      Feb 28 at 15:26





      I actually thought your answer was 'Yes', and that you were suggesting two further options.

      – TrevorD
      Feb 28 at 15:26













      @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

      – Ricky
      Mar 1 at 2:47





      @TrevorD: I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't clear enough.

      – Ricky
      Mar 1 at 2:47











      0














      It is difficult for one who is not a trained linguistics/grammar expert to sort this one out.
      However my native ear tells me that all of the following are idiomatic, and in daily use in GB.



      What would you rather she do. (Some might argue that does could be substituted here, but I certainly prefer do)



      What would you rather her do.



      What would you rather have her do.






      share|improve this answer



























        0














        It is difficult for one who is not a trained linguistics/grammar expert to sort this one out.
        However my native ear tells me that all of the following are idiomatic, and in daily use in GB.



        What would you rather she do. (Some might argue that does could be substituted here, but I certainly prefer do)



        What would you rather her do.



        What would you rather have her do.






        share|improve this answer

























          0












          0








          0







          It is difficult for one who is not a trained linguistics/grammar expert to sort this one out.
          However my native ear tells me that all of the following are idiomatic, and in daily use in GB.



          What would you rather she do. (Some might argue that does could be substituted here, but I certainly prefer do)



          What would you rather her do.



          What would you rather have her do.






          share|improve this answer













          It is difficult for one who is not a trained linguistics/grammar expert to sort this one out.
          However my native ear tells me that all of the following are idiomatic, and in daily use in GB.



          What would you rather she do. (Some might argue that does could be substituted here, but I certainly prefer do)



          What would you rather her do.



          What would you rather have her do.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Mar 28 at 13:41









          WS2WS2

          52.5k28117252




          52.5k28117252





















              -1














              Turning to old reliable Will Shakespeare (in As You Like It)



               ...Truly, I would 
              The gods had made thee poetical.


              The verb in this problem is "would". "Rather" is simply an adverb, with no particular consequence.



              An Elizabethan-ish dialogue:



              I would she had done something else.
              What would you she had done?
              But soft! She is still doing that terrible thing.
              What would you she were doing?
              Ah, she has stopped and asks now for guidance.
              What would you she do?


              Put in "rather," well, as you like it.






              share|improve this answer


















              • 1





                I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 19:45











              • @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 20:26







              • 1





                It does not correspond to the question as asked.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 22:59











              • Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 23:08















              -1














              Turning to old reliable Will Shakespeare (in As You Like It)



               ...Truly, I would 
              The gods had made thee poetical.


              The verb in this problem is "would". "Rather" is simply an adverb, with no particular consequence.



              An Elizabethan-ish dialogue:



              I would she had done something else.
              What would you she had done?
              But soft! She is still doing that terrible thing.
              What would you she were doing?
              Ah, she has stopped and asks now for guidance.
              What would you she do?


              Put in "rather," well, as you like it.






              share|improve this answer


















              • 1





                I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 19:45











              • @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 20:26







              • 1





                It does not correspond to the question as asked.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 22:59











              • Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 23:08













              -1












              -1








              -1







              Turning to old reliable Will Shakespeare (in As You Like It)



               ...Truly, I would 
              The gods had made thee poetical.


              The verb in this problem is "would". "Rather" is simply an adverb, with no particular consequence.



              An Elizabethan-ish dialogue:



              I would she had done something else.
              What would you she had done?
              But soft! She is still doing that terrible thing.
              What would you she were doing?
              Ah, she has stopped and asks now for guidance.
              What would you she do?


              Put in "rather," well, as you like it.






              share|improve this answer













              Turning to old reliable Will Shakespeare (in As You Like It)



               ...Truly, I would 
              The gods had made thee poetical.


              The verb in this problem is "would". "Rather" is simply an adverb, with no particular consequence.



              An Elizabethan-ish dialogue:



              I would she had done something else.
              What would you she had done?
              But soft! She is still doing that terrible thing.
              What would you she were doing?
              Ah, she has stopped and asks now for guidance.
              What would you she do?


              Put in "rather," well, as you like it.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Feb 25 at 19:13









              remarklremarkl

              67419




              67419







              • 1





                I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 19:45











              • @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 20:26







              • 1





                It does not correspond to the question as asked.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 22:59











              • Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 23:08












              • 1





                I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 19:45











              • @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 20:26







              • 1





                It does not correspond to the question as asked.

                – Lambie
                Feb 25 at 22:59











              • Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

                – remarkl
                Feb 25 at 23:08







              1




              1





              I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

              – Lambie
              Feb 25 at 19:45





              I'd rather she had done something else is past tense.

              – Lambie
              Feb 25 at 19:45













              @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

              – remarkl
              Feb 25 at 20:26






              @Lambie The doing is in the past; the "would-ing" is in the present. I was just trying to show the verb choice for "to do" in relation to when the offending behavior occurs.

              – remarkl
              Feb 25 at 20:26





              1




              1





              It does not correspond to the question as asked.

              – Lambie
              Feb 25 at 22:59





              It does not correspond to the question as asked.

              – Lambie
              Feb 25 at 22:59













              Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

              – remarkl
              Feb 25 at 23:08





              Let's let Jackson decide if it helps.

              – remarkl
              Feb 25 at 23:08











              -1














              "What would you rather she do?" is correct, because it requires present tense, singular.



              "Does" is for ongoing action, so it would not be correct. "Do" is for singular subjects and single actions, with auxiliary verbs (can, should, etc). "Can she do it?" not "can she does it?" ("She does it all the time," however.)



              "What did she do?" and "What should she do?" are correct in subject-verb agreement and tense.



              Using "her", the objective form of "she," is not correct either.



              She - does something (action). "She goes to bed early." "She can fly high."

              (Action) -- to her (object of verb). "He read it to her."





              share|improve this answer



























                -1














                "What would you rather she do?" is correct, because it requires present tense, singular.



                "Does" is for ongoing action, so it would not be correct. "Do" is for singular subjects and single actions, with auxiliary verbs (can, should, etc). "Can she do it?" not "can she does it?" ("She does it all the time," however.)



                "What did she do?" and "What should she do?" are correct in subject-verb agreement and tense.



                Using "her", the objective form of "she," is not correct either.



                She - does something (action). "She goes to bed early." "She can fly high."

                (Action) -- to her (object of verb). "He read it to her."





                share|improve this answer

























                  -1












                  -1








                  -1







                  "What would you rather she do?" is correct, because it requires present tense, singular.



                  "Does" is for ongoing action, so it would not be correct. "Do" is for singular subjects and single actions, with auxiliary verbs (can, should, etc). "Can she do it?" not "can she does it?" ("She does it all the time," however.)



                  "What did she do?" and "What should she do?" are correct in subject-verb agreement and tense.



                  Using "her", the objective form of "she," is not correct either.



                  She - does something (action). "She goes to bed early." "She can fly high."

                  (Action) -- to her (object of verb). "He read it to her."





                  share|improve this answer













                  "What would you rather she do?" is correct, because it requires present tense, singular.



                  "Does" is for ongoing action, so it would not be correct. "Do" is for singular subjects and single actions, with auxiliary verbs (can, should, etc). "Can she do it?" not "can she does it?" ("She does it all the time," however.)



                  "What did she do?" and "What should she do?" are correct in subject-verb agreement and tense.



                  Using "her", the objective form of "she," is not correct either.



                  She - does something (action). "She goes to bed early." "She can fly high."

                  (Action) -- to her (object of verb). "He read it to her."






                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Mar 28 at 13:57









                  user8356user8356

                  1,07558




                  1,07558





















                      -1














                      Examples of subject + would rather



                      • I'd rather he leave now. Or: I'd rather he left now.

                      • I'd rather he do the work now. Or: I'd rather he did the work now.

                      • What would you rather she do? Or: What would you rather she did?


                      • I'd rather he left now. [also]


                      • I'd rather he did the work now. [also]

                      • What would you rather she did? [also]

                      she does and her do don't work here.



                      The third-person singular s or es morpheme is not used after "would rather": subject ][I,we, etc.] would rather.



                      The choices are present simple without the third person singular morphemes (s or es) or simple past.



                      Real World Examples:



                      Arsenal can’t win for losing
                      20
                      What would you rather they do: something or nothing?What would you rather they do?



                      "Seriously - read what you typed. By far the biggest element of fuel is tax. The government should reduce the tax. And pay for what how???? Sadly the only means of raising revenue is.... tax. What would you rather they do? Shut your local hospital to pay for your drive down the motorway? Jeez."



                      what would you rather they do?



                      "The public has indicated that they would rather he do this than increase taxes."
                      would rather he do



                      Followed by simple past:



                      But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told ITV News that he would "have a discussion" with Rosena Allin-Khan, who is a shadow minister, about her appearance at the rally: "She's entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal."



                      would rather plus simple past



                      Firstly, according to 3,000 voters asked by the website Politico, 47 per cent of voters want Theresa May to compromise and reach a deal with the European Union, compared to 35 per cent who would rather she walked away without one. Indeed, 53 per cent of voters to 47 would rather we stayed in the European Union than exited with no deal in place.
                      https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-conservatives-brexit-no-deal-politics-westminster-leadership-a8618456.html






                      share|improve this answer

























                      • -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        Mar 28 at 8:07











                      • @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                        – Lambie
                        Mar 28 at 13:17















                      -1














                      Examples of subject + would rather



                      • I'd rather he leave now. Or: I'd rather he left now.

                      • I'd rather he do the work now. Or: I'd rather he did the work now.

                      • What would you rather she do? Or: What would you rather she did?


                      • I'd rather he left now. [also]


                      • I'd rather he did the work now. [also]

                      • What would you rather she did? [also]

                      she does and her do don't work here.



                      The third-person singular s or es morpheme is not used after "would rather": subject ][I,we, etc.] would rather.



                      The choices are present simple without the third person singular morphemes (s or es) or simple past.



                      Real World Examples:



                      Arsenal can’t win for losing
                      20
                      What would you rather they do: something or nothing?What would you rather they do?



                      "Seriously - read what you typed. By far the biggest element of fuel is tax. The government should reduce the tax. And pay for what how???? Sadly the only means of raising revenue is.... tax. What would you rather they do? Shut your local hospital to pay for your drive down the motorway? Jeez."



                      what would you rather they do?



                      "The public has indicated that they would rather he do this than increase taxes."
                      would rather he do



                      Followed by simple past:



                      But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told ITV News that he would "have a discussion" with Rosena Allin-Khan, who is a shadow minister, about her appearance at the rally: "She's entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal."



                      would rather plus simple past



                      Firstly, according to 3,000 voters asked by the website Politico, 47 per cent of voters want Theresa May to compromise and reach a deal with the European Union, compared to 35 per cent who would rather she walked away without one. Indeed, 53 per cent of voters to 47 would rather we stayed in the European Union than exited with no deal in place.
                      https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-conservatives-brexit-no-deal-politics-westminster-leadership-a8618456.html






                      share|improve this answer

























                      • -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        Mar 28 at 8:07











                      • @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                        – Lambie
                        Mar 28 at 13:17













                      -1












                      -1








                      -1







                      Examples of subject + would rather



                      • I'd rather he leave now. Or: I'd rather he left now.

                      • I'd rather he do the work now. Or: I'd rather he did the work now.

                      • What would you rather she do? Or: What would you rather she did?


                      • I'd rather he left now. [also]


                      • I'd rather he did the work now. [also]

                      • What would you rather she did? [also]

                      she does and her do don't work here.



                      The third-person singular s or es morpheme is not used after "would rather": subject ][I,we, etc.] would rather.



                      The choices are present simple without the third person singular morphemes (s or es) or simple past.



                      Real World Examples:



                      Arsenal can’t win for losing
                      20
                      What would you rather they do: something or nothing?What would you rather they do?



                      "Seriously - read what you typed. By far the biggest element of fuel is tax. The government should reduce the tax. And pay for what how???? Sadly the only means of raising revenue is.... tax. What would you rather they do? Shut your local hospital to pay for your drive down the motorway? Jeez."



                      what would you rather they do?



                      "The public has indicated that they would rather he do this than increase taxes."
                      would rather he do



                      Followed by simple past:



                      But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told ITV News that he would "have a discussion" with Rosena Allin-Khan, who is a shadow minister, about her appearance at the rally: "She's entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal."



                      would rather plus simple past



                      Firstly, according to 3,000 voters asked by the website Politico, 47 per cent of voters want Theresa May to compromise and reach a deal with the European Union, compared to 35 per cent who would rather she walked away without one. Indeed, 53 per cent of voters to 47 would rather we stayed in the European Union than exited with no deal in place.
                      https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-conservatives-brexit-no-deal-politics-westminster-leadership-a8618456.html






                      share|improve this answer















                      Examples of subject + would rather



                      • I'd rather he leave now. Or: I'd rather he left now.

                      • I'd rather he do the work now. Or: I'd rather he did the work now.

                      • What would you rather she do? Or: What would you rather she did?


                      • I'd rather he left now. [also]


                      • I'd rather he did the work now. [also]

                      • What would you rather she did? [also]

                      she does and her do don't work here.



                      The third-person singular s or es morpheme is not used after "would rather": subject ][I,we, etc.] would rather.



                      The choices are present simple without the third person singular morphemes (s or es) or simple past.



                      Real World Examples:



                      Arsenal can’t win for losing
                      20
                      What would you rather they do: something or nothing?What would you rather they do?



                      "Seriously - read what you typed. By far the biggest element of fuel is tax. The government should reduce the tax. And pay for what how???? Sadly the only means of raising revenue is.... tax. What would you rather they do? Shut your local hospital to pay for your drive down the motorway? Jeez."



                      what would you rather they do?



                      "The public has indicated that they would rather he do this than increase taxes."
                      would rather he do



                      Followed by simple past:



                      But Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn told ITV News that he would "have a discussion" with Rosena Allin-Khan, who is a shadow minister, about her appearance at the rally: "She's entitled to her point of view. I would rather she and every other Labour MP spent today and tomorrow and Tuesday concentrating solely on making sure we defeat this deal."



                      would rather plus simple past



                      Firstly, according to 3,000 voters asked by the website Politico, 47 per cent of voters want Theresa May to compromise and reach a deal with the European Union, compared to 35 per cent who would rather she walked away without one. Indeed, 53 per cent of voters to 47 would rather we stayed in the European Union than exited with no deal in place.
                      https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-conservatives-brexit-no-deal-politics-westminster-leadership-a8618456.html







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Mar 30 at 13:11

























                      answered Feb 25 at 19:34









                      LambieLambie

                      7,62111034




                      7,62111034












                      • -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        Mar 28 at 8:07











                      • @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                        – Lambie
                        Mar 28 at 13:17

















                      • -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        Mar 28 at 8:07











                      • @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                        – Lambie
                        Mar 28 at 13:17
















                      -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                      Mar 28 at 8:07





                      -s is the third person singular morpheme, not plural.

                      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                      Mar 28 at 8:07













                      @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                      – Lambie
                      Mar 28 at 13:17





                      @JanusBahsJacquet Yep, I dyslexiaed myself. I have fixed it.

                      – Lambie
                      Mar 28 at 13:17











                      -2














                      This is called causative.



                      The subject of the action/sentence is you, who is the cause of an action of a second person. Even though it might seem that the verb is an action that she will do, this is not the case. The action is done by you. The action is to make her do or have her do. In your case, it has been shortened to her do. This is the verb that you do.



                      I am not sure if the omission of the verb make or have is considered undesirable. It is definitely used as you wrote it.



                      It is very common to express causative value using make/have + noun + bare infinitive. The bare infinitive is the action that noun will do. In your case the do is the bare infinitive.



                      But since the sentence is really expressing an action of its subject you, it would be the verb make/have the one that carries the declination by person. For example:




                      She makes her do.




                      Because some are confused about it. - There are many ways in which a sentence can have causative value. Your example is but one of them. Causative value can be constructed also using have + noun + past participle as in




                      She had him killed.







                      share|improve this answer

























                      • good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                        – lbf
                        Feb 25 at 15:24






                      • 2





                        This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                        – user888379
                        Feb 25 at 15:50











                      • @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                        – user337754
                        Feb 25 at 16:18







                      • 1





                        I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:31







                      • 1





                        I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:34















                      -2














                      This is called causative.



                      The subject of the action/sentence is you, who is the cause of an action of a second person. Even though it might seem that the verb is an action that she will do, this is not the case. The action is done by you. The action is to make her do or have her do. In your case, it has been shortened to her do. This is the verb that you do.



                      I am not sure if the omission of the verb make or have is considered undesirable. It is definitely used as you wrote it.



                      It is very common to express causative value using make/have + noun + bare infinitive. The bare infinitive is the action that noun will do. In your case the do is the bare infinitive.



                      But since the sentence is really expressing an action of its subject you, it would be the verb make/have the one that carries the declination by person. For example:




                      She makes her do.




                      Because some are confused about it. - There are many ways in which a sentence can have causative value. Your example is but one of them. Causative value can be constructed also using have + noun + past participle as in




                      She had him killed.







                      share|improve this answer

























                      • good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                        – lbf
                        Feb 25 at 15:24






                      • 2





                        This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                        – user888379
                        Feb 25 at 15:50











                      • @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                        – user337754
                        Feb 25 at 16:18







                      • 1





                        I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:31







                      • 1





                        I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:34













                      -2












                      -2








                      -2







                      This is called causative.



                      The subject of the action/sentence is you, who is the cause of an action of a second person. Even though it might seem that the verb is an action that she will do, this is not the case. The action is done by you. The action is to make her do or have her do. In your case, it has been shortened to her do. This is the verb that you do.



                      I am not sure if the omission of the verb make or have is considered undesirable. It is definitely used as you wrote it.



                      It is very common to express causative value using make/have + noun + bare infinitive. The bare infinitive is the action that noun will do. In your case the do is the bare infinitive.



                      But since the sentence is really expressing an action of its subject you, it would be the verb make/have the one that carries the declination by person. For example:




                      She makes her do.




                      Because some are confused about it. - There are many ways in which a sentence can have causative value. Your example is but one of them. Causative value can be constructed also using have + noun + past participle as in




                      She had him killed.







                      share|improve this answer















                      This is called causative.



                      The subject of the action/sentence is you, who is the cause of an action of a second person. Even though it might seem that the verb is an action that she will do, this is not the case. The action is done by you. The action is to make her do or have her do. In your case, it has been shortened to her do. This is the verb that you do.



                      I am not sure if the omission of the verb make or have is considered undesirable. It is definitely used as you wrote it.



                      It is very common to express causative value using make/have + noun + bare infinitive. The bare infinitive is the action that noun will do. In your case the do is the bare infinitive.



                      But since the sentence is really expressing an action of its subject you, it would be the verb make/have the one that carries the declination by person. For example:




                      She makes her do.




                      Because some are confused about it. - There are many ways in which a sentence can have causative value. Your example is but one of them. Causative value can be constructed also using have + noun + past participle as in




                      She had him killed.








                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Feb 25 at 16:56

























                      answered Feb 25 at 15:22









                      user337754user337754

                      11




                      11












                      • good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                        – lbf
                        Feb 25 at 15:24






                      • 2





                        This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                        – user888379
                        Feb 25 at 15:50











                      • @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                        – user337754
                        Feb 25 at 16:18







                      • 1





                        I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:31







                      • 1





                        I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:34

















                      • good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                        – lbf
                        Feb 25 at 15:24






                      • 2





                        This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                        – user888379
                        Feb 25 at 15:50











                      • @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                        – user337754
                        Feb 25 at 16:18







                      • 1





                        I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:31







                      • 1





                        I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                        – Peter Shor
                        Feb 25 at 16:34
















                      good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                      – lbf
                      Feb 25 at 15:24





                      good ... add a dictionary or similar citation.

                      – lbf
                      Feb 25 at 15:24




                      2




                      2





                      This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                      – user888379
                      Feb 25 at 15:50





                      This seems more like a subjunctive situation. I'd rewrite the OP's question as: "What would you rather she do?"

                      – user888379
                      Feb 25 at 15:50













                      @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                      – user337754
                      Feb 25 at 16:18






                      @user888379 Causative and subjunctive are not exclusive categories. The former is valency, while the latter is mood. What you wrote is still causative. Moreover, mood doesn't explain why do remains as infinitive. The fact that causative is constructed as [make/have] + noun + bare infinitive verb does tell what is the construction being used. His sentence is correct. Changing it would avoid even more answering his question.

                      – user337754
                      Feb 25 at 16:18





                      1




                      1





                      I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                      – Peter Shor
                      Feb 25 at 16:31






                      I would rather she do/did/does is not causative. It doesn't mean I would rather make her do ...

                      – Peter Shor
                      Feb 25 at 16:31





                      1




                      1





                      I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                      – Peter Shor
                      Feb 25 at 16:34





                      I would rather the sun was shining does not mean I would rather make the sun shine.

                      – Peter Shor
                      Feb 25 at 16:34

















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