Had better… It’s time…

Had better… It’s time…

Exercise 3

Use the verbs in the box in the correct form to fill in the gaps.

EXAMPLE: It’s about time you stopped smoking.

Please wait...

1It's time he making some changes.

2It's going to rain. You'd better an umbrella.

3My parents must be worried. I'd better them and tell them that I'm OK.

4It's time for John his job.

5You better tell the truth when they ask you.

6They'd better another match if they want to stay in the tournament.

7It's time you that you made a mistake.

8I think you'd better your password. This one isn't safe.

9It's very late. It's time to bed.

10You'd better a word about this.

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Had better (‘d better)

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Use

We use had better to give strong advice or to tell someone (including ourselves) what to do.

• I‘d better go home. It’s getting late.
• You‘d better tell Mum what happened before she finds out. 

Had better often implies that something negative will happen if something is not done, and it often sounds like a threat or a warning.

• He‘d better give me my money back, or he’ll be in trouble. 
• You‘d better behave yourself if you don’t want me to get really angry. 

Form

The word had is a past verb form, but the expression had better is only used to talk about the immediate future.

• You‘d better call me soon. I’ll be worried.

After had better we need to use infinitive without to.

• I‘d better to take a look.
• I‘d better take a look.

Had better not (‘d better not) is the negative form of had better.

• You‘d better not say a word about this. 
• I‘d better not forget. 

In spoken English, we normally use the short form ‘d better. And in informal speech, people sometimes say just better (without had).

• You better go home.
• I better get it right this time. 

Had better vs should

We often use should to give advice, to say that something is a good thing. And we use had better to express urgent advice or a warning, with bad consequences if you don’t follow it.

• You should try the cake. It’s delicious. 
• He‘d better hurry up or he’ll miss the cake. 

It’s time

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We can use it’s time + to + infinitive or it’s time for someone + to + infinitive to say that someone should do something now or in the future.

• It’s time for you to go to the doctor. 
• It’s time to make a decision. 

We can also use it’s (about) time + subject + past simple to say that someone should do something now or in the future.

• It’s time you went to the doctor. 
• I really think it’s about time you made a decision. We can’t go on like this any longer.

🔍 Note that we use the past in this form, but we are talking about the future.

We often use this form to complain or criticise.

• It’s time you paid me what you owe me.  
• It’s about time you started looking for a job.