Grammar
Modal Phrases (Had Better and Would Rather)
Semi-modal multi-word constructions '
had better' and '
would rather' are followed by the infinitive without
to.
Examples: - We had better go into the house because it is raining.
- I can come today but I would rather come tomorrow.
Had Better
'
Had better' expresses advice and means 'would find it wiser or more suitable'.
E.g.: You
had better go now
(=it would be good, wise or suitable for you to go now).
Synonyms: ought to do something / should do something.
In negative structures,
better comes before
not.
E.g.: You
had better not go now.
Patterns. Read and memorize! - We had better take an umbrella. It may rain. (We’d (1) better…)
- He’d better stop and have a rest if he feels tired.
- You’d better go on the excursion.
- You had better not eat so much. (You’d better…)
- Hadn’t you better hurry if you want to catch the eight o’clock train? (2)
- What had I better put on for the party?
Note 1: - The contracted form
‘d is very common.
Note 2: - The negative form 'hadn't better' is used mainly in questions: Hadn't we better try again later?
►'Had' is sometimes dropped in very informal speech.
E. g. : You
better go now.
I
better try again later.
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Grammar