Had better

 "Had better" is a phrase that is used to give advice or to express a warning about the consequences of not taking a certain action. It is often used to indicate a strong suggestion or recommendation. Here are some key points to keep in mind when using "had better":

• "Had better" is followed by a base verb, without "to". For example: "You had better study for the exam."

• "Had better" can be used to express the consequence of not taking a certain action. For example: "You had better leave now or you will miss your flight."

• "Had better" is often used to give strong advice or a warning. For example: "You had better not tell anyone about this."

• "Had better" is more commonly used in spoken English than in written English.

It's important to note that "had better" is often used in situations where there is a sense of urgency or importance. It can also be used to express a sense of responsibility or obligation. When using "had better," it's important to consider the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener, as it can come across as too direct or confrontational in certain situations.

Here are some exercises to help you practice using "had better":

Exercise 1: Choose the correct form of "had better" to complete the sentences.

1. You __________ hurry if you want to catch the train. (had better / better)
2. He __________ not eat too much candy or he'll get a stomach ache. (had better / better)
3. We __________ leave now or we'll be late for the meeting. (had better / better)

Answers:

1. had better
2. had better
3. had better

Exercise 2: Complete the following sentences with the correct form of "had better."

1. You __________ start studying if you want to pass the exam.
2. We __________ not forget to bring the tickets to the concert.
3. He __________ leave soon or he'll miss his flight.
4. She __________ not go out alone at night in this neighborhood.

Answers:

1. had better
2. had better
3. had better
4. had better

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences using "had better."

1. "You will regret it if you don't apologize." - "You __________ apologize or you will regret it."
2. "I recommend that you see a doctor." - "You __________ see a doctor."
3. "It's important that you don't miss the deadline." - "You __________ not miss the deadline."

Answers:

1. had better
2. had better
3. had better

It's important to note that "had better" is often used in situations where there is a sense of urgency or importance. It can also be used to express a sense of responsibility or obligation. When using "had better," it's important to consider the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener, as it can come across as too direct or confrontational in certain situations.