Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
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

Log in to Comment

bern-ny

Ghana

thanks for the lesson.it is going to help me build on my english language

11:48 AM Aug 28 2008 |

hone

Ethiopia

it is good.

02:15 PM Aug 27 2008 |

ShohrehDB

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

thanks a lot,

Informative,

you had better not give up these lessons;)

08:07 AM Aug 27 2008 |

Jane_wei

Jane_wei

China

If it is possible, we had better chat on line. Then we could study English quickly.

04:41 AM Aug 27 2008 |

M_honor

M_honor

Lebanon

you had better teach us more of these usefull lessons Laughing thanks alot

09:07 PM Aug 26 2008 |

ozan29

ozan29

Turkey

useful…

08:41 PM Aug 26 2008 |

Kas-ye

Kas-ye

Yemen

thanks..

08:13 AM Aug 25 2008 |

meerab

meerab

Pakistan

very interesting and informative.thanks

07:10 AM Aug 23 2008 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

Nice lesson!!

07:27 PM Aug 22 2008 |

ne_mobliez_pas

Ukraine

thanks it's so interesting for meSmile

03:02 PM Aug 21 2008 |

Cathy Zou

Cathy Zou

China

Is there any condition we must use "had better" rather than "should" and vice versa?

08:12 AM Oct 28 2007 |

Likes (24):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast