Had Better

"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.

Examples:

·       You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation

·       That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope

·       You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning

However, when we use “had better” there is a suggestion that if the advice is not followed, that something bad will happen.

·         You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.

·         I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.

·         We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.

We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to”  to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of “have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future.

·         You'd better tell her everything.

·         I'd better get back to work.

·         We'd better meet early.

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.