wouldn't rather versus would rather not

Joan LinMember

Are the following sentences grammatical?

Do they have the same meaning or not?

(1)Wouldn't you rather finish it tomorrow?

(2)Would you rather not finish it tomorrow?

6/19/229:23 AM

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David, ModeratorModerator

@Joan Lin posted:
Are the following sentences grammatical?
Do they have the same meaning or not?
(1) Wouldn't you rather finish it tomorrow?
(2) Would you rather not finish it tomorrow?

Hi, Joan Lin—Both (1) and (2) are grammatical, but they do not have the same meaning. Sentence (1) is a negative question; it is like asking "Would you rather finish it tomorrow?," except that it presupposes that the speaker would rather finish "it" tomorrow and seeks confirmation. Sentence (2) is genuinely interested in the addressee's possible preference of not finishing "it" tomorrow.

6/19/221:13 PM

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