English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
EXCEPTIONS TO SUBJUNCTIVE
it’s time to ~left~ this place (nonstandard).
It’s time to leave this place (standard).
Note that while the past tense has to be used after “it’s time” conventionally, the present tense should be used when the subjunctive is followed by “to infinitive”.
It’s time they leave. ✖️
It’s time they left. ✔️
It’s time to left. ✖️
It’s time to leave. ✔️
I would rather ~went~ there now (nonstandard).
I would rather go there now (standard).
“Would rather” is a subjunctive form too but it is followed by a verb in the present tense when there is no noun or pronoun immediately after it:
I would rather she ~leaves~ now (nonstandard).
I would rather she left now (standard).
I would rather ~left~ now (nonstandard).
I would rather leave now (standard).
GAB
