Had better and it's time
How to give strong advice about one situation with had better ('d better) and 'd better not, how it differs from should, and how to say that something should happen now with it's time to, it's time for and it's time we left.
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When you use it
Had better gives strong advice about one particular situation, now or soon: It's getting dark. We'd better go home. There is often a warning in it: if you don't do it, something bad may happen (You'd better take your keys, or you won't get in). In speech people nearly always use the short form 'd better.
It's time says that something should happen now, often because it is already a little late: It's time to go, It's time we went.
How it is formed
| Pattern | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| had better | 'd better + base verb | You'd better ask first. |
| negative | 'd better not + base verb | We'd better not make any noise. |
| it's time + verb | it's time to + base verb | It's time to leave. |
| it's time + noun | it's time for + noun | It's time for lunch. |
| it's time + person + verb | it's time for + person + to + verb | It's time for Tom to go. |
| it's time + clause | it's time + subject + past form | It's time we left. |
Had better. Had looks like the past, but the meaning is now or the future: You'd better call him tonight. The form is the same for every person (I'd better, she'd better, they'd better), and the verb after it is the base form, with no to: You'd better hurry. For the negative, put not straight after better: You'd better not be late. There is no do in the negative.
Had better or should? Should is the normal word for advice and opinions in general (People should drink more water). Had better is about this situation, here and now, and it is stronger. It can sound like an order or a warning, so with a teacher, a boss or a stranger, should or maybe you could is usually more polite. With I and we it simply means "I think it is necessary" or "we need to": I'd better go now is a friendly way to end a conversation. The lesson on should explains should in full.
It's time. With no person, use to + verb (It's time to start) or for + noun (It's time for a break). To name the person, use for + person + to (It's time for us to start) or a subject + the past form (It's time we started). In this pattern the past form does not mean the past: It's time we started means "we should start now". It's high time and It's about time add that it is late, and they often criticise: It's about time you answered Anna's email.
Examples
- It's starting to rain. We'd better go inside.
- You'd better book your train ticket today. Tomorrow it will cost more.
- I'd better not have another coffee, or I won't sleep.
- We'd better check the address before we go.
- Anna had better finish her essay tonight. She has to hand it in tomorrow.
- It's eleven o'clock. It's time to go home.
- It's time for breakfast. Who wants eggs?
- It's time for the children to get dressed.
- Everyone is here, so it's time we started.
- It's about time you tidied your room. It looks terrible.
Common mistakes
You'd better to call the doctor.
You'd better call the doctor.
After had better, use the base verb with no to. Тобі краще подзвонити лікарю uses an infinitive, so learners add to. After had better English uses the base verb alone. Тебе лучше позвонить врачу uses an infinitive, so learners add to. After had better English uses the base verb alone. Du rufst besser den Arzt an has no zu, and English has no to after had better either.We'd better don't tell Tom.
We'd better not tell Tom.
The negative is not straight after better, with no do. Нам краще не казати Томові: не comes straight after краще, just as not comes straight after better. Нам лучше не говорить Тому: не comes straight after лучше, just as not comes straight after better. Wir sagen es Tom besser nicht puts nicht near the end; English puts not straight after better.She has better see a doctor.
She'd better see a doctor.
Had better is a fixed phrase: it is always had ('d), never has or have, even though the meaning is now.It's time we go home.
It's time we went home. / It's time to go home.
After it's time + a subject, careful English uses the past form, but the meaning is now. (You may hear It's time we go in casual speech, but use went or to go.) Нам час іти додому uses an infinitive. English uses to go, or the past form after a subject: It's time we went. Нам пора идти домой uses an infinitive. English uses to go, or the past form after a subject: It's time we went. Es ist Zeit, dass wir nach Hause gehen uses the present. English uses the past form after it's time we: went.It's time to lunch.
It's time for lunch.
Before a noun, use for; before a verb, use to.
Practice
The exercises go from easy to harder. Each answer is checked at once. If it is wrong, you get a hint and a second try.
A Choose the right form.
Example: It's raining. You'd better ___ a coat. → wear
- The baby is asleep. We'd better gap quiet.
- That ladder looks very old. You'd better gap on it.
- Anna gap better leave now if she wants to catch her train.
- It's nearly midnight. It's time gap to bed.
- It's seven o'clock. It's time gap dinner.
- You've been at the computer all day. It's time you gap a break.
B Write 'd better or 'd better not with the words in brackets.
Example: It's late. ___ (I / go) home now. → I'd better go
- The shop closes in ten minutes. (we / hurry).
- The soup is still very hot. (you / not / eat) it yet.
- Tom's phone battery is almost empty. (he / charge) it before the trip.
- Tom has to drive early tomorrow morning. (he / not / stay) up late tonight.
- The car is making a strange noise. (we / take) it to a garage.
- I've lost my bank card. (I / call) the bank right away.
C Complete the sentences after it's time. Use the verb in brackets.
Example: The shop is closing. It's time we ___ (pay). → paid
- The film starts in fifteen minutes. It's time we (leave).
- Come on, everyone. It's time we all (start) the game.
- Tom is thirty and still lives with his parents. It's about time he (find) a place of his own.
- You've worn those shoes for six years. It's time you (buy) new ones.
- It's eight o'clock. It's time for the children (get) up.
- The guests are hungry. It's time we (serve) dinner.
D Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Keep the meaning.
- If I were you, I would take that jacket back to the shop. (better)
- Don't park here, or you'll get a ticket. (better)
- We need to leave now. (time)
- Tom should get a haircut now. (time)
- I think it's a bad idea for me to eat any more cake. (better)
- Anna must hurry, or she will miss her flight. (better)
E Put the words in order. Use all the words.
- Tap the words in the right order.
- Tap the words in the right order.
- Tap the words in the right order.
- Tap the words in the right order.
- Tap the words in the right order.
F Correct the mistakes. Change only what is wrong. Two of the sentences are already right: keep them as they are.
- You'd better to charge your phone before we leave.
- We'd better don't stay long, because Tom is waiting for us.
- It's time we leave for the airport.
- I'd better phone my parents before they start to worry.
- Anna has better wear warm clothes today. It's snowing.
- I think it's time for a coffee break.
G Match each situation with the best advice.
Quick test
8 questions from this lesson in random order, one try each. Nothing is saved.