would sooner for the past

Lost_Soul · #1 (permalink) Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:44 am *would sooner for the past*

I know these 2 expressions:
I'd rather/sooner you went home
(I presume it has this meaning: it might be a good idea if you went home , hasn't it?)

I'm curioous if I can describe past events in this way, namely:
I'd rather/sooner you had gone home yesterday after the party
Does it sound good ?

Also I'm aware that the expression I'm sorry is used with the present infinitive for describing something we're doing now or for something, we're about to do. And to apologise for something that we did in the past we might use the gerund or the perfect infinitive.
So, could you tell me if it is correct to say:

I'm sorry for being late = I'm sorry to have been late (I was late to work yesterday and I'm apologizing)
and
I'm sorry to be late (I'm late to work and I'm apologizing)

Thank you and have a nice day Smile

Mister Micawber · #2 (permalink) Tue Jul 10, 2007 23:57 pm *would sooner for the past*

.
I'd rather/sooner you had gone home yesterday after the party-- This sounds fine to me.

I'm sorry for being late [yesterday] = I'm sorry to have been late (I was late to work yesterday and I'm apologizing) -- Fine

I'm sorry to be late (I'm late to work and I'm apologizing) -- Fine
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Lost_Soul · #3 (permalink) Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:41 am *would sooner for the past*

Hi, Mister Micawber

Thank you very much Smile

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