I though that next time....

[Polyester]

I read a story in a book and found a sentence I want to try to rewrite. Is my sentence possible?

Original:...... I thought that next time I had better set my price higher than anyone would pay.

My version: ......I though that next time I had to buy a pair of chocolate than bought a single one.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I read a story in a book and found a sentence I want to try to rewrite. Is my sentence possible?

Original:...... I thought that next time I had better set my price higher than anyone would pay.

My version: ......I thought that next time I had to buy two chocolates, then I bought just one.

It doesn't make much sense.

In this context, had to means was required to: I was required to buy two.

Why did you have to buy two? If you had to, then why did you just buy one?

Notice that had in the original sentence does not have the same meaning as had in your version. The words had better are an idiom meaning should or ought to: I should set my price higher.

 

[tedmc]

What is the idea of the rewrite? Except for the first few words, they are totally unrelated.

I would buy two chocolates instead of one?

 

[teechar]

Polyester, note also that "had to do x" means (I had no choice - I had to do x); "had better" doesn't mean the same thing.

 

[Rover_KE]

What is the idea of the rewrite? Except for the first few words, they are totally unrelated.

I agree with Ted.

You have not rewritten the original sentence, Polyester, but you've written a completely different, ungrammatical one—unfortunately beyond your current level of ability.

Consider this sentence: My decorator, Matt Phinnish, painted my kitchen walls yesterday.

This is one way to rewrite it:

Yesterday, Matt Phinnish, my decorator, painted the walls of my kitchen.

 

[GoesStation]

His able assistant, Sammy Glauss, did the trim.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Polyester, note also that "had to do x" means (I had no choice - I had to do x); "had better" doesn't mean the same thing.

Right. That's what I was trying to say.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I agree with Ted.

You have not rewritten the original sentence, Polyester, but you've written a completely different, ungrammatical one—unfortunately beyond your current level of ability.

Consider this sentence: My decorator, Matt Phinnish, painted my kitchen walls yesterday.

This is one way to rewrite it:

Yesterday, Matt Phinnish, my decorator, painted the walls of my kitchen.

Is he related to Lester Flatt?