HAD BETTER

HAD BETTER

HAD BETTER is like SHOULD or OUGHT TO, but stronger and more urgent.

HAD BETTER uses:

Use HAD BETTER to give advice, a strong recommendation or warning that some sort of bad action or negative consequence could happen if it is not followed. It’s almost like an indirect threat. We use it if we think there will be negative consequences if someone does not do what is suggested.

HAD BETTER specifics:

📌HAD BETTER is always followed by a verb in the infinitive without “to”

📌HAD BETTER contraction is   ’d better

📌the negative of HAD BETTER is HAD BETTER NOT

📌even though “had” is in the past we are speaking about the present or future

Examples:

• You had better not drive fast in snow.

• You’d better take an umbrella; it’s going to rain.

• You had better see a doctor for that constant headache.

• You had better leave for school right now, otherwise you will miss the school bus.

• She’d better finish her project before her dad comes home.

• He’d better park his car correctly or he may get fined.

Read more about:

Модални глаголи 😃 Modal verbs

CAN - COULD

MAY - MIGHT

WILL

WOULD

SHALL

SHOULD

MUST

DARE

OUGHT TO

HAD BETTER

NEED

BE ABLE TO