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Had better

Had better

Date: Oct 26 2007

Topic: Grammar

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to”  to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of “have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future.

  • You'd better tell her everything.
  • I'd better get back to work.
  • We'd better meet early.

The negative form is “had better not”.

  • You'd better not say anything.
  • I'd better not come.
  • We'd better not miss the start of his presentation.

We use “had better” to give advice about specific situations, not general ones. If you want to talk about general situations, you must use “should”.

  • You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
  • I shouldn't listen to negative people.
  • He should dress more appropriately for the office.

When we give advice about specific situations, it is also possible to use “should”.

  • You shouldn't say anything.
  • I should get back to work.
  • We should meet early.

However, when we use “had better” there is a suggestion that if the advice is not followed, that something bad will happen.

  • You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.
  • I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.
  • We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.

Comments

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8-qiu

China

I/D better go for a  walk

01:24 PM Jul 16 2009 |

*butterfly wings*

Saudi Arabia

I'd better go home to study or my dad will be angry with me

08:03 PM Feb 23 2009 |

leo

Uzbekistan

 it is so nice to know english "had", "Had nots".Thank you.

10:52 AM Dec 05 2008 |

vinci

Malaysia

thanks for share regarding Had Better. I m poor in english..

01:22 AM Sep 18 2008 |

janneth patricia vinasco

Colombia

   I HAVE SEEN "YOU BETTER GO" , IS IT THE SAME AS   "YOU HAD BETTER GO" ?Kiss

02:30 AM Sep 17 2008 |

Eza Robert

Eza Robert

Indonesia

thx, now, i just know about "had better" i can also combine "should"

thx so much :) 

09:03 AM Sep 16 2008 |

Totto

Totto

Sudan

 

Wow!  I didnt know that before, "had better."  But i think american use just "better" and " should" for adivce.  They don't use "had better" at least I have never heard an american say it before.

04:42 PM Sep 12 2008 |

ice1234

ice1234

India

 

it had better  to explore more knowledge with us.

07:06 PM Sep 10 2008 |

Harper

Dominican Republic

i need more information about HAD BETTER.

09:47 PM Sep 09 2008 |

amany7

amany7

Saudi Arabia

thanks 4 the lesson I like it .

01:06 AM Sep 08 2008 |

gaabih

gaabih

Brazil

interesting ! :D

10:30 PM Sep 07 2008 |

nitra-ale

Belarus

Useful information!

05:57 PM Sep 05 2008 |

candyzls

Taiwan

thank you this lesson ,so funny and useful my life!

07:57 AM Sep 04 2008 |

Aira-ID

Aira-ID

Indonesia

thanks for the article, I had better learn grammar now Laughing

01:39 PM Sep 03 2008 |

jean___michel

Brazil

Great!

06:40 PM Sep 01 2008 |

cemba_cemba_cemba

Azerbaijan

thanks for imformation

10:54 AM Sep 01 2008 |

funy girl

funy girl

Saudi Arabia

it is intersting lesson thank you

08:49 PM Aug 31 2008 |

cmanriquez81

Mexico

lesson was usefull for me

11:33 PM Aug 29 2008 |

cmanriquez81

Mexico

good lesson

11:31 PM Aug 29 2008 |

25980

Maldives

halo

Kisshw r uCry

07:43 PM Aug 28 2008 |

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