What is Had Better? English knowledge about Had Better

In English, when you want to give advice to someone, in addition to using modal verbs, you can also use the structure Had Better. So, what is the formula and usage of Had Better? In today's article, PREP will provide a detailed introduction to the structure Had Better along with specific examples!

I. What is Had better?

"Better" (/ˈbet̬.ɚ/) is an adjective (comparative of good) meaning: of a higher standard, or more suitable, pleasing, or effective than other things or people. Here are some Had better examples:

• Jack stood near the front to get a better view. 

• The book was better than I expected. 

Had Better is used as a modal verb, the Had better meaning is: refer to the present or the future, to talk about actions we think people should do or which are desirable in a specific situation. Had Better is used to advise someone or to warn or urge someone to do something, emphasizing the urgency of the action. For example:

• Peter had better be on time or the boss will get mad.

• Kathy had better pay the bill as soon as possible. 

Note: Although "had" is the past tense of the verb "have," the structure Had Better is commonly used in the present or future tense, not to indicate a past time.

II. Structure and usage of Had Better in a sentence

Let’s explore the structure and usage of Had Better in a sentence below!

1. Affirmative structure of Had Better

The structure Had Better is used in the present or future tense to give advice or warnings about what someone should do to avoid negative outcomes. The structure is:

S + had better + V(infinitive)

For example:

• Martin had better stop smoking or he will have lung cancer. 

• You had better study for the exam if you want to pass. 

In everyday communication or informal situations, we can shorten it to "'d better," or use "had best" instead of Had Better to make the tone softer. For example:

• Sara’d best leave it till Wednesday. There’s no one in her class today. 

• You had best leave now if you want to catch the last train. 

2. Negative structure of Had Better 

In the negative form, you need to add "not" after Had Better to form "Had better not" as follows:

S + had better/ ’d better + not + V(infinitive)

For example:

• You’d better not tell Harry about the broken window – he’ll go crazy! 

• You had better not forget to lock the door before you leave. 

3. Interrogative structure of Had Better  

For the interrogative form of Had Better, we need to invert the subject and the word "Had," and a question mark must be at the end of the sentence.

Strcuture:

Had + (not) + S + better  + V(infinitive)?

For example:

• Had Daisy better go now? 

• Had we better start studying for the exam? 

Note: In the interrogative form of Had Better, negative questions are often more commonly used than affirmative ones. For example:

• Hadn’t Daisy better leave now?

• Hadn't we better start studying for the exam? 

4. Notes on using the Structure Had Better

• We use Had Better to give specific advice. When talking about obligations or requirements, we use "must" or "have to”. For example: 

  • You have to (or must) hold a full, valid driving licence to hire a car. ➞✅

  • You’d better hold a full, valid driving licence to hire a car. ➞❌

• We do not use Had Better to talk about preferences; instead, we use "rather" or "which." For example:

  • They offered her a job in Paris, but she said she’d rather work in a smaller city. ➞✅

  • They offered her a job in Paris, but she said she’d better work in a smaller city. ➞❌

• We do not use Had Better to make general suggestions or proposals. For example:

  • I’d recommend you take a boat trip across the bay and see some of the islands. ➞✅

  • You’d better take a boat trip across the bay and see some of the islands.➞❌

III. Distinguishing the structure Had Better, Would Rather, Would Prefer, Should, Be Better, and Be Best

In English, in addition to the structure Had Better, there are other structures frequently used to give suggestions or advice, such as Would Rather, Would Prefer, Should, Be Better, and Be Best. Let’s explore the differences of Had Better, Would Rather, Would Prefer, Should, Be Better, and Be Best below!

1. Distinguishing Had Better and Would Rather

2. Distinguishing Had Better and Would Prefer

3. Distinguishing Had Better and Should

4. Distinguishing Had Better, Be Better and Be Best

IV. Exercises on the structure Had Better with Answers

After learning the theory about the structure Had Better, let’s review through the small exercises below with PREP:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with Had Better or Should

1. Jenny has an appointment in ten minutes. She ____ go now or she’ll be late.

2. It’s an interesting event. Martin ____ go and see it. 

3. Hanna ____ get up late tomorrow. She doesn’t have got a lot to do.

4. When Jenny is driving, she ____ keep her eyes on the road.

5. Daisy’ll be upset if Martin doesn’t invite her to the wedding, so I ____ invite her.

6. These snacks are delicious. You ____ try one.

7. Sara thinks everybody ____ learn more foreign languages.

8. We ______ get up early tomorrow. I have an appointment. 

9. I _____ leave a note so they'll know I'll be late.

10. You _____ hurry up, it is too late.

Exercise 2: Use the structure Had Better to write sentences with the given prompts

1. Kathy is going out. It looks as if it might rain.

➞ ______________________________ (an umbrella) 

2. Martin plans to go to a restaurant this evening. It’s a very popular restaurant. 

➞ ________________________________ (reserve)

3. Daisy is not good enough to go to work. 

➞ ___________________________ (work)

4. Harry received the phone bill four weeks ago but he hasn’t paid it yet. 

➞ _________________________________ (pay)

5. You and Kate plan to go to a restaurant this evening. Ifs a popular restaurant.

➞ ______________________________ (reserve) 

Answer:

The above contains all the detailed knowledge about the structure Had Better in English that PREP has compiled for you. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and PREP will respond as quickly as possible!