HAD BETTER+BAR E INFINITIVE

AJIT SINGH ENGLISH TRAINER

When Had becomes Unreal Past; the meaning becomes Present or Future:
I had better ring him at once/ tomorrow. (This would be a good thing to do/ the best thing to do.) You had better consult a doctor. (This would be a good thing to do/ the best thing to do.)

RULE # 1

The Negative is formed with Not after Better : You had better not miss the last bus. (It would be unwise to miss it, or I advise/ warn you not to miss it.) Had here is usually after Pronouns and in contracted speech is sometimes so Unstressed as to be almost inaudible.

RULE # 2

Had Better is not normally used in the ordinary Interrogative, but is sometimes used in the Negative Interrogative as an advice form: Hadnt you better ask him first? Hadnt she better seek permission? Hadnt they better inform us first? Hadnt he better take leave?

RULE # 3

You Had Better is very useful Advice form:

RULE # 4

You had better fly. (It would be best for you to fly, or I advise you to fly.) You had better take exam. (I advise you to take exam.) They had better practise hard. (I advise them to practise hard.)

In Indirect Speech Had Better with 1st or 3rd person remains unchanged; Had Better with the 2nd person can remain unchanged or be reported by Advise+Object+Infinitive: He said, Id better hurry= He said (that) hed better hurry. He said, Ann had better hurry=

RULE # 5