subject + had better + base verbUse had better before the base verb. No to after better.
Had Better
B1Had better gives strong advice and suggests a bad result if someone does not act. Use had better + base verb, or had better not + base verb.
What you'll learn
- Choose had better for urgent advice with possible consequences.
- Build had better + base verb without to.
- Make negatives with had better not + base verb.
- Understand and use the short form 'd better.
- Keep had better for advice about now or the future.
Structure
subject + had better + not + base verbPut not after better, then use the base verb.
subject + 'd better + base verbThe short form 'd better means had better, not would better.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Youhad bettercall
You had better call Maria now.
Strong advice: act now.
When to use
Urgent advice
Use it when action is needed soon: You'd better call Maria now. It suggests a problem if you wait.
Warning tone
Use it when you want advice to sound stronger than should: You'd better take an umbrella. The rain is starting.
Advice not to act
Use had better not when the action may cause trouble: We had better not tell Tom before the meeting.
Markers
nowbefore it startsorsoonbefore the meeting
In contrast
vs should-ought-to
Had better is stronger than should and often suggests a bad result if you ignore the advice.
Common mistakes
Wrong
You had better to leave now.
Correct
You had better leave now.
Had better is followed by the base verb, not to + verb.
Wrong
We had not better wait here.
Correct
We had better not wait here.
In the negative form, not comes after better.
Wrong
I'd better go now. = I would better go now.
Correct
I'd better go now. = I had better go now.
In this pattern, 'd stands for had.
Wrong
Yesterday Lisa had better take a taxi.
Correct
Yesterday Lisa should have taken a taxi.
Had better is for advice about now or the future, not a finished past situation.
Common misconceptions
❝ Because it has had, had better is a past form. ❞
Had better talks about the best action now or in the near future. The form stays the same even when the advice is about the present or future.
❝ Had better is just another way to say should. ❞
Both give advice, but had better sounds stronger and can suggest a bad consequence if the advice is ignored.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_FOR_STRONG_ADVICEw5Use had better for strong advice with a warning
Use had better when you want to say the action is the best choice now because a bad result may follow. It sounds stronger and more urgent than a mild suggestion.
HAD_BETTER_PLUS_BASE_VERBw5Build had better + base verb
Use had better before the main verb in its base form: had better leave, had better call, had better be. Do not add to before the verb.
HAD_BETTER_NOTw5Make negatives with had better not + base verb
Put not after better: had better not wait, had better not drive, had better not be late. The main verb stays in the base form.
SHORT_FORM_ID_BETTERw3Recognize and use the short form 'd better
In speech and informal writing, had is often shortened: I'd better go, you'd better ask, he'd better stop. The meaning stays the same.
NOT_FOR_PASTw4Keep had better for present or future advice, not past events
Use had better for advice about now or the future. Do not use it to talk about advice that belonged only in the past.