Grammar

Had Better

'Had better' gives strong advice or a warning about the present or near future, often implying that something bad will happen if the advice is ignored. Despite 'had', it refers to now, not the past.

Post

Level B2 Modals

Summary

'Had better' gives strong advice or a warning about the present or near future, often implying that something bad will happen if the advice is ignored. Despite 'had', it refers to now, not the past.

Structure

had ('d) better (not) + base verb

Examples

You'd better see a doctor about that cough.
We'd better leave now or we'll miss the train.
She'd better not be late again.
I'd better not say anything.

Common mistakes

• Adding 'to': 'You'd better to go' should be 'You'd better go'.
• Putting 'not' in the wrong place: 'You'd not better go' should be 'You'd better not go'.

Related

Should Have / Ought to Have

More modals

Can / Could (Ability and Permission) A2

Use 'can' for present ability and informal permission or requests. Use 'could' for past ability and for more polite requests.

Must / Have To (Obligation) B1

Use 'must' and 'have to' to express obligation or necessity. 'Mustn't' means something is forbidden, while 'don't have to' means there is no obligation.

May / Might (Possibility) B1

Use 'may' and 'might' to talk about present or future possibility. 'May' is also used for formal permission.

Would for Past Habits B2

Use 'would' to talk about repeated past actions and habits, similar to 'used to'. Unlike 'used to', 'would' is not normally used for past states.

Would (Polite Requests and Hypotheticals) B1

Use 'would' for polite requests and offers, for hypothetical results (especially in conditionals), and to describe imagined situations.

Can and Can't for Ability A1

Use 'can' to say someone is able to do something and 'can't' for inability. 'Can' is followed by the base form of the verb and stays the same for all subjects.

External links

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