What does had better mean?

What does had better mean?

Had better: form and meaning We use had better to 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 always had, not have. We normally shorten it to 'd better in informal situations.

Had better or had better to?

Had better is always followed by a verb in the infinitive without 'to': You had better BE on time. You must or should be on time. Had better is ALWAYS formed from the auxiliary verb 'have' in the past simple ('has better' or 'will have better' do not exist!).

Had better and had better not?

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.

Is it better to have better or had?

The past tense of should is should have + past participle. Had better is similar, but it's used for more urgent advice with bad consequences if you don't follow it (eg. You had better quit smoking or you'll die).

Would rather and would prefer English grammar?

Note that would rather is followed by a bare infinitive without to, whereas prefer requires to + infinitive. Would rather (but not would prefer to) is also followed by a past tense when we want to involve other people in the action, even though it has a present or future meaning.

How is the word had better used in English?

• Understanding grammar is key to understanding a language. Learn English online and test Gymglish for free. I had better ('it would be a good idea if I', 'it would be better for me to') is used as a modal auxiliary verb:

When do you use the word better in a sentence?

• Steadily improving. To better the quality of your thoughts, you’d better read better books. Better as verb, adverb and adjective (in that order). Good, better, best are called comparatives. When you are comparing only two items, better can be used. For example, I like hamburgers better than pizza. Use best when comparing more than two items.

When to use'had better'as an auxiliary verb?

• I had better ('it would be a good idea if I', 'it would be better for me to') is used as a modal auxiliary verb: I had (or I'd) better sleep now. It would be a good idea for me to sleep now. You'd better discuss this issue with Bruno. You should discuss this issue with Bruno. We'd better leave before the police come.

When do you Say I had best in English?

• In informal English, we sometimes say I had best, used with the same meaning: I'd best go home. It would be good for me to go home. You'd best listen to what he has to say. It would be a good idea for you to listen to what he has to say.