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teshman

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Apr 14, 2012
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English Teacher
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If you overhear the following from one of your students: "You hadn't better be late for your exam tomorrow!" How would you correct this student, knowing that they were attempting to give a warning?

1. Advise that "shouldn't" would be a better choice.
2. Explain that "had better" is not used in the negative form.
3. There is no need to correct this student.
4. Remind them that the negative word "not comes after "had better" and it is not contracted.
 

emsr2d2

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Jul 28, 2009
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If you overhear the following from one of your students: "You hadn't better be late for your exam tomorrow!" How would you correct this student, knowing that they were attempting to give a warning?

1. Advise that "shouldn't" would be a better choice.
2. Explain that "had better" is not used in the negative form.
3. There is no need to correct this student.
4. Remind them that the negative word "not comes after "had better" and it is not contracted.

If I felt the need to say anything at all, given that they were trying to do something nice for a fellow student, I would point out that we say "You had better not be late tomorrow" or "You'd better not be late" or simply "Don't be late tomorrow".
 
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