English — had better
Use had better (usually contracted to 'd better) plus a bare infinitive to give strong advice or a warning about the immediate future: You'd better leave now. The negative is had better not: You'd better not be late. It is stronger and more urgent than should.
How it works
The form is fixed: subject + had better ('d better) + bare infinitive. Although had is past in form, the meaning is present or future: We'd better hurry. Add not after better for the negative — never don't: You'd better not tell her. In speech the 'd is almost always contracted, and it stays the same for every subject (I, you, he, they).
Forms and contrast
| Example | Meaning / use |
|---|---|
| You'd better see a doctor. | Strong advice — the speaker thinks this is the wise thing to do. |
| We'd better hurry or we'll miss the train. | Warning with an implied bad consequence if the advice is ignored. |
| You'd better not tell anyone. | Negative: put not after better — this is a warning against doing something. |
| He'd better apologise soon. | Same form for every subject; the 'd never changes to has or does. |
| You should exercise more. (general advice) | should = mild, general recommendation, no sense of urgency or threat. |
| You'd better take an umbrella. (urgent, this occasion) | had better = stronger, tied to a specific situation now, with consequences. |
Good to know
Common mistakes: the negative is had better not, not "hadn't better" and never "don't had better" — say You'd better not go, not "You don't had better go". Also do not add to after better: it is You'd better leave, never "You'd better to leave". Because it often carries a note of threat, had better can sound too forceful to an authority figure; with a boss or stranger, should or could is usually more polite.