[Vocabulary] Had better/Should

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zainab shah

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Saudi Arabia
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Generally had used in past situation but when we use better with it then it changes its meanings like
A: Are you going out tonight?
B: I had better not. I have got a lot of work to do.
And some times had better used when we warn somebody that they must do something:
You had better be on time.Then why we don't use should instead of had better in these cases.
When we say:I had better go to the bank now, why we don't use should that's very convenient in use.
Is should & had better have same meaning?
I am so confuse in their meanings please help me.Thank you:up:
 

TheParser

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Generally had used in past situation but when we use better with it then it changes its meanings like
A: Are you going out tonight?
B: I had better not. I have got a lot of work to do.
And some times had better used when we warn somebody that they must do something:
You had better be on time.Then why we don't use should instead of had better in these cases.
When we say:I had better go to the bank now, why we don't use should that's very convenient in use.
Is should & had better have same meaning?
I am so confuse in their meanings please help me.Thank you:up:

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Zainab.

(1) Corum has given you an excellent link.

(2) I just want to suggest that learners probably should not use

"had better" until they really understand English.

(a) "had better" is sometimes very strong. Sometimes it is like a

threat:

Tom: You had better shut your mouth.

Joe: If I don't shut my mouth, what are you going to do about it?

Do you want to fight?

(3) Also, please remember that many native speakers drop the

"had" in speech:

Wow! It's late. I better hurry to school. = I had better/must/have to

***** Thank you *****
 

zainab shah

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Urdu
Home Country
Saudi Arabia
Current Location
Pakistan
***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Zainab.

(1) Corum has given you an excellent link.

(2) I just want to suggest that learners probably should not use

"had better" until they really understand English.

(a) "had better" is sometimes very strong. Sometimes it is like a

threat:

Tom: You had better shut your mouth.

Joe: If I don't shut my mouth, what are you going to do about it?

Do you want to fight?

(3) Also, please remember that many native speakers drop the

"had" in speech:

Wow! It's late. I better hurry to school. = I had better/must/have to

***** Thank you *****
Thank you so much for giving me your advise.:up:
 
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