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Had better and it's time

B1 · 40 exercises

The rule in short

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.

PatternFormExample
had better'd better + base verbYou'd better ask first.
negative'd better not + base verbWe'd better not make any noise.
it's time + verbit's time to + base verbIt's time to leave.
it's time + nounit's time for + nounIt's time for lunch.
it's time + person + verbit's time for + person + to + verbIt's time for Tom to go.
it's time + clauseit's time + subject + past formIt'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.

Lesson: “Had better and it's time” (B1), Krumeto · https://krumeto.com/grammar/had-better · written for Krumeto with the help of AI tools · Worksheet: krumeto.com

KrumetoHad better and it's timeName ____________________

Exercises

A. Choose the right form.

It's raining. You'd better ___ a coat. → wear

  1. The baby is asleep. We'd better ________ quiet. (be / to be / being)
  2. That ladder looks very old. You'd better ________ on it. (not stand / don't stand / not to stand)
  3. Anna ________ better leave now if she wants to catch her train. (had / has / have)
  4. It's nearly midnight. It's time ________ to bed. (to go / go / going)
  5. It's seven o'clock. It's time ________ dinner. (for / to / of)
  6. You've been at the computer all day. It's time you ________ a break. (took / take / taking)

B. Write 'd better or 'd better not with the words in brackets.

It's late. ___ (I / go) home now. → I'd better go

  1. The shop closes in ten minutes. ________ (we / hurry).
  2. The soup is still very hot. ________ (you / not / eat) it yet.
  3. Tom's phone battery is almost empty. ________ (he / charge) it before the trip.
  4. Tom has to drive early tomorrow morning. ________ (he / not / stay) up late tonight.
  5. The car is making a strange noise. ________ (we / take) it to a garage.
  6. 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.

The shop is closing. It's time we ___ (pay). → paid

  1. The film starts in fifteen minutes. It's time we ________ (leave).
  2. Come on, everyone. It's time we all ________ (start) the game.
  3. Tom is thirty and still lives with his parents. It's about time he ________ (find) a place of his own.
  4. You've worn those shoes for six years. It's time you ________ (buy) new ones.
  5. It's eight o'clock. It's time for the children ________ (get) up.
  6. The guests are hungry. It's time we ________ (serve) dinner.

D. Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Keep the meaning.

  1. If I were you, I would take that jacket back to the shop. (better)
  2. Don't park here, or you'll get a ticket. (better)
  3. We need to leave now. (time)
  4. Tom should get a haircut now. (time)
  5. I think it's a bad idea for me to eat any more cake. (better)
  6. Anna must hurry, or she will miss her flight. (better)

E. Put the words in order. Use all the words.

  1. anyone / this / about / you'd / not / tell / better
  2. we / the / time / station / it's / to / went
  3. back / for / go / my / better / I'd / bag
  4. bath / have / the / a / to / for / it's / children / time
  5. we'd / better / not / out / late / too / stay

F. Correct the mistakes. Change only what is wrong. Two of the sentences are already right: keep them as they are.

  1. You'd better to charge your phone before we leave.
  2. We'd better don't stay long, because Tom is waiting for us.
  3. It's time we leave for the airport.
  4. I'd better phone my parents before they start to worry.
  5. Anna has better wear warm clothes today. It's snowing.
  6. I think it's time for a coffee break.

G. Match each situation with the best advice.

    1. The roads are covered in ice. ____
    2. Anna's train leaves in five minutes. ____
    3. The dog has eaten Tom's sandwich. ____
    4. You're still awake at two in the morning. ____
    5. Everyone has arrived for the meeting. ____
    1. a) She'd better run.
    2. b) It's time to begin.
    3. c) He'd better make another one.
    4. d) It's time you went to sleep.
    5. e) You'd better drive slowly.
KrumetoHad better and it's timeAnswer key

Answer key

A. Had better ('d better) + base verb, no to. Negative: 'd better not + base verb. It's time to + verb, it's time for + noun, it's time + subject + past form.

  1. be
  2. not stand
  3. had
  4. to go
  5. for
  6. took

B. 'd better + base verb when it is a good idea; 'd better not + base verb when it is a bad idea. No to, no do.

  1. We had better hurry
  2. You had better not eat
  3. He had better charge
  4. He had better not stay
  5. We had better take
  6. I had better call

C. It's time to + base verb. It's time for + person + to + base verb. It's time + subject + past form (the meaning is now).

  1. left / were leaving
  2. started / were starting
  3. found
  4. bought
  5. to get
  6. served / were serving

D. Had better ('d better) + base verb; negative 'd better not + base verb. It's time to + verb, it's time for + person + to + verb, or it's time + subject + past form.

  1. You had better take that jacket back to the shop. / I think you had better take that jacket back to the shop.
  2. You had better not park here, or you will get a ticket. / You had better not park here.
  3. It is time to leave. / It is time we left.
  4. It is time Tom got a haircut. / It is time for Tom to get a haircut.
  5. I had better not eat any more cake. / I had better not eat any more cake now.
  6. Anna had better hurry, or she will miss her flight. / Anna'd better hurry, or she'll miss her flight.

E. 'd better (not) + base verb. It's time + subject + past form, or it's time for + person + to + verb.

  1. You'd better not tell anyone about this.
  2. It's time we went to the station.
  3. I'd better go back for my bag.
  4. It's time for the children to have a bath.
  5. We'd better not stay out too late.

F. Had better is fixed: had ('d) + better + base verb, not straight after better, no to, no do. It's time + subject + past form; it's time for + noun; it's time to + verb.

  1. You'd better charge your phone before we leave. — After had better there is no to: You'd better charge.
  2. We'd better not stay long, because Tom is waiting for us. — The negative of had better is 'd better not, with no do.
  3. It's time we left for the airport. / It's time to leave for the airport. — After It's time + a subject, use the past form: It's time we left.
  4. I'd better phone my parents before they start to worry. (✓) — This sentence is right: 'd better + base verb.
  5. Anna had better wear warm clothes today. It's snowing. / Anna'd better wear warm clothes today. It's snowing. — Had better is fixed: it is always had, never has.
  6. I think it's time for a coffee break. (✓) — This sentence is right: it's time for + noun.

G. Had better gives advice for one situation now. It's time says that something should happen now.

  1. 1 e · 2 a · 3 c · 4 d · 5 b

Lesson: “Had better and it's time” (B1), Krumeto · https://krumeto.com/grammar/had-better · written for Krumeto with the help of AI tools · Worksheet: krumeto.com

Had better and it's time — worksheet | Krumeto