Had better: form and meaning
We usehad betterto refer to the present or the future, to talk about actions we think people should do or which are desirable in a specific situation. The verb form is alwayshad, nothave. We normally shorten it to ’d betterin informal situations. It is followed by the infinitive withoutto:
It’s five o’clock. I’d bettergonow before the traffic gets too bad.
Not:I’d better to go now.
The democratic movementhad betterconcentrate on the immediate issues of the economy and security.(more formal)
Had betteris a strong expression. We use it if we think there will be negative results if someone does not do what is desired or suggested:
She’d betterget here soon or she’ll miss the opening ceremony.
Sometimes people sayhad bestinstead ofhad better, especially in informal speaking. This sounds slightly less strong and less direct:
You’d bestleave it till Monday. There’s no one in the office today.
Had better: negative and question forms
The negative ofhad betterishad better not(or’d better not):
I’d better notleave my bag there. Someone might steal it.
You’d better nottell Elizabeth about the broken glass – she’ll go crazy!
The question form ofhad betteris made by inverting the subject andhad. This means the same asshould, but is more formal:
Had I betterspeak to Joan first before I send this form off? What do you think?
Had we betterleave a note for the delivery guy to take the parcel next door?
Negative questions withhad betterare more common than affirmative ones:
Hadn’t we betterring the school and tell them Liam is sick?
Hadn’t you betterswitch your computer off? It might overheat if you leave it on.
Had betterorbe better,be best?
We usehad betterto give advice in a specific situation. We use the phrasebe betterorbe best +to-infinitive for more general suggestions:
It’salwaysbetter to besafe than sorry.(‘It’s better to be safe than sorry’ is a saying which means that you should be careful before taking any action.)
I think it wouldbe best to speakto the people in the video shop to see what they recommend.
Had betterorwould rather,would prefer?
We don’t usehad betterwhen we talk about preferences. We usewould ratherorwould prefer.
| It is a good idea, better, or advisable to get a taxi. |
| I prefer to get a taxi. |
Had better: typical errors
We usehad betterto give specific advice, not to talk about obligations or requirements; instead, we usehave to, have got toormust:
Youhave to(ormust) hold a full, valid driving licence to hire a car.
Not:You’d better hold a full, valid driving licence to hire a car.
See also:
Have got toandhave to
Must
We don’t usehad betterto talk about preferences; instead, we usewould ratherorwould prefer:
They offered her a job in Warsaw, but she said she’d rather workin a smaller city.(or …she’d prefer to work …)
Not: …she’d better work…
We don’t usehad betterto make ordinary suggestions or recommendations:
Auckland is a great place to visit.I’d recommendyou take a boat trip across the bay and see some of the islands. Thenyou can finda nice restaurant for lunch. There are plenty of them.
Not:You’d better take a boat trip across the bay and see some of the islands. Then you’d better find a nice restaurant for lunch.