In the sentence "aurais préféré que ça soit une surprise" - does "préférer" act the same as "aimer/détester" in that its followed by the subjunctive?

James W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In the sentence "aurais préféré que ça soit une surprise" - does "préférer" act the same as "aimer/détester" in that its followed by the subjunctive?

Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi James,

Préférer que   --> to prefer that    falls within "expressions of will/orders/advice"

Aimer que  --> to like that              falls within "Emotion and feelings"

Yes they are both followed by the subjunctive but convey a sense as shown above.

So it is a matter of what was in the mind (emotion) of the speaker/writer?

 

Hope this helps.

Jim

James W. asked:

In the sentence "aurais préféré que ça soit une surprise" - does "préférer" act the same as "aimer/détester" in that its followed by the subjunctive?

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