English conjunction mood

[janausrissen]

Hi all,
again I have been faced with my unability how english grammar is to be used correctly, namely the "english conjunctive mood". I was going to discuss how light behaves if reflecting off a mirror. Within this debate I have written:

"<...> Of course you are right, i better have written "...its velocity is always the same if it travels through one particular medium..." But as it does so if reflecting off a mirror as described i find its not worth mentioning <...>"

Now, I am completely uncertain if one says: " <...> i better have written...<...>" rather then "<...>I would better have written...<...>" or if both of these expressions are wrong.

Could anyone help me?
Thanks a lot
Jan

 

[birdeen's call]

"I had better have written..."

(We capitalize "English" in English. ;-))

 

[5jj]

It would have been better if I had written
It would have been better (for me) to write
I should have written

 

[5jj]

"I had better have written..."

I think 'had better' can be used only for a recommendation for the future:

You had better go now.
You had better have a rest.

 

[janausrissen]

thanks a bunch for your replies.

Have you an idea how these three grammar moods are said to be ?
1.) It would have been better
2.) I should have written
3.) I had better have written...

Thanks again
Jan

PS: What about "It would have been better if i had written ... " ?

 

[birdeen's call]

I think 'had better' can be used only for a recommendation for the future:

You had better go now.
You had better have a rest.

I was once told it was OK here, but won't find the thread... I based my reply on this: A dictionary of modern English usage - Google Ksi

Is it outdated?

 

[5jj]

I was once told it was OK here, but won't find the thread... I based my reply on this: A dictionary of modern English usage - Google Ksi

Is it outdated?

It is for me.

Fowler was a little old-fashioned at times, and that work was published in 1926.