In English there are many different ways to give advice such as should, ought to,… Not used as often as the words above, Had better coming with an infinitive is also an easy and interesting structure to give others advice. Let’s discover all about Had better structure with GOGA in the following article.
1. What does the structure “Had better” mean?
“Had better” is seen as a modal verb that means what should be done; better to be done.
Besides, the structure ‘had better’ can be used when you want to warn someone, to inform them that it is better to do something, to give advice, to warn or to describe your urgency, the need for some actions.
Ex 1:
Mary had better do her homework before class. Otherwise, her mother will be angry.
Ex 2:
Minh had better drive on the right-handed side of the lane road or she will be noticed by the police
Reference: https://goga.ai/english-ending-sounds/
2. How to use Had better structure in English
Among the structures used to give advice, the structure “had better: has the most drastic, urgent and powerful meaning. The advice with “Had better” will be more emphatic than “should”. We can use “had better” about specific things and events, to express that something is best to do and there can be negative results if the person does not do what is advised.
Ex:
He is out of pocket. He’d better work harder to earn a living.
The structure “Had better” appears more commonly in speaking than in writing or in grammar exercises.
Noted: The phrase Had better is a fixed phrase, used in sentences describing the present or the future, but not used to refer to the past time as many of you mistakenly think when you see “had” (past of ” have”)
“Had better” has a strong meaning, goes beyond the framework of the meaning of the pure verb to advise when it also has the intention of deterring, urging, emphasizing the urgency of action. Therefore, “Had better” is often used in specific cases, not for general expressions.
The structure of “Had better“
Affirmative sentence: S + had better + V (infinitive)
Ex:
They had better sell that car.
Notice
- In informal English communication, you can use the shortened form of had better as ‘d better.
Ex:
The project is now behind the schedule. All the team had better push the progress as much as possible
In some situations where communication is not too formal, the speaker can sometimes use “had best” instead of “had better”. This helps to make the sentence softer.
Ex:
We had best travel to Trinidad in May because it is the low season in this country.
Negative sentences: S + Had better / ’d better + not + V (infinitive)
If you want the sentence to have a negative meaning, just add “not” after had better.
Ex:
She had better not break the rules in class. Her head teacher will not satisfy at all
Interrogative sentence: Had + (not) + S + better + V (infinitive)?
For the interrogative form of Had better, you just need to invert “had” in front of the subject and add a question mark at the end of the sentence.
Ex:
Had Andy better quit his job now?
“Had better” in Reported Speech
“Had better” does not change in indirect sentences or you can use the advise structure (advise + Object + to V: to advise someone to do something)
Ex:
She said: “You’d better talk to your dad”
She said I’d better talk to my dad
She advised mẹ to talk to my dad
Reference: https://goga.ai/link-sounds-in-english/
3. Other structures for giving advice
- Structure with “should”
– Should to give advice or suggestion, recommendation about something
Ex:
My brother should have called the police.
– When you want to make a conclusion or an announcement about something.
Ex:
She should finish this task by this Monday morning.
Structure:
Affirmative sentence: S + should + V (infinitive)
“Should” is a modal verb, so the verb following “should” always stays the same.
Ex:
You should be friendlier.
Negative sentence: S + should not + V (infinitive)
Ex:
Intergorative question: Should + S + V(infinitive)+ ….?
Answer: Yes, S + should or No, S + shouldn’t.
Ex:
Should you leave at 8 p.m?
No, I shouldn’t.
- Structure with “would rather”
The structure “would rather” can be used to express regret for something that happened in the past or a desire for something that is not yet true in the present or future. “Would rather” is often used in a formal, academic style.
Structure:
Affirmative sentence: S + would rather (‘d rather) + V(infinitive)
Negative sentence: S + would rather (‘d rather) + not + V(infinitive)
Interrogative question: Would + S + rather + V infinitive
Ex:
Jane would rather learn to play chess
He’d rather stay single all his life
Would Viviene rather fish or chicken?
“Would rather” with past tense
The structure ‘would rather’ used in the past tense can express regret about the past.
Structure: S + would rather + have + V3
Ex:
She would rather have spent the money on a holiday.
I’d rather have seen it at the cinema than on DVD.
I would rather not have bought this shirt.
Structure with ‘would rather’ carries the meaning of desire in the present or in the future
The structure ‘would rather’ can be used to assume something in contrast to the present or to want someone to do something in the present or future.
Structure:
Affirmative sentence: S1 + would rather (that) + S2 + V-ed
Negative sentence: S1 + would rather (that) + S2 + not + V-ed
Interrogative question: Would + S + rather + S2 + V-ed
Ex:
Tarri would rather that I followed her in this project.
Would you rather she stayed here with us?
She would rather her daughter did not become a pianist.
- Structure with “Would prefer”
Would prefer to V than V
This structure is used to indicate that someone would rather do one thing than another.
Ex:
She would prefer to stay at home than hang out somewhere.
Would prefer to V
This structure is used to refer to something someone likes to do.
Ex:
Do you like fish or chips? – Well, I would prefer to have some fish
Notice
“Would prefer” structure is often used in formal cases.
- Structure with Be better, Be best
N/Ving + (be) better (than N/Ving…..)
This structure is used to indicate that something or doing something is better. The structure is gentle advice.
Ex:
Doing exercise everyday is better than playing video games all day
Apple is better for your health than drugs
Structure N/Ving + (be) the best
This structure is used to talk about something or something is best.
Ex:
Sleeping 8 hours per day is the best.
Among 23 students in class, Peter is the best.
- Distinguishing “Had better” and other structures
For situation:
Except “should” can be used in everyday communication, not too formal, other structures such as “Had better”, “Should”, “Would rather”, “Would prefer”, “Be better” are often used in a formal style , more scholarly expression.
For meaning:
“Had better” is used to advise someone to do something. However, the sentence nuance will be urgent, deterrent to indicate that an action should be performed otherwise bad consequences will occur.
The structure ‘Would rather” is also used to advise, but more gently than “Had better”. It can also be used to describe what you like to do.
The structure “should”, “Be better” is also used to advise someone to do something, but the nuance is softer than “Had better” and “Would rather”.
4. Practice with Had better structure
Task 1: Fill “Had better” or “Should”, “Would rather”
- I have an important meeting in about 15 minutes. I_____ prepare now or I will know nothing.
- He is a cute cat. You ____ adopt him.
- I ____ stay at home and relax. Tomorrow is a day off.
- She __________ take that way or she will be noticed by the police.
- I __________ use Iphone more than SamSung.
- Lyly will be upset if she doesn’t pass the driving license so we ____ encourage her.
- Those dresses look fit on you. You ___ take one.
- I am certain that everybody ___ do exercise everyday.
Result: 1.’d better, 2.should, 3.‘d rather, 4.‘d better, 5.‘d rather, 6.‘d better, 7.should, 8.should
Task 2: Use “had better” or “had better not” to rewrite the sentence:
1. You’re going out for a walk with Anne. There is a car almost crushing her.
You talk to Anne: (careful) …………………..
2. Peter has a bad injury in his leg.
You talk to him: (see the doctor) …………………….
3. On vacation days, the hotel is always full. .
You talk to Oliver: (book the room in advance) …………………….
4 The weather is very bad outside.
You talk to your daughter: (go outside) …………………….
Result:
1. You had better be careful or the car will crush on you
2. You had better see the doctor
3. You had better book the room in advance
4. You had better not go outside.