The usage of word combinations would rather and had better

—   Hello, guys! My name is James Wilson. This is my best friend Martin Green.

—   Welcome to our grammar lesson.

—   Listen to the conversation between John and Dan and find out the theme of our lesson today.

—   John is at home, because he doesn’t feel well.

—   Dan is in London at this moment. 

—   Hi, Dan! How is London?

—   Hi, John! It’s so wonderful here! I’ve already visited many interesting and amazing places!

—   Oh, Dan! I’m so happy for you! When did you come to London?

—   I came on Sunday and the airport was so overcrowded! I couldn’t even take a taxi, so I went on foot to my hotel with all the bags.

—   Really? It’s so awful! You had better not go to London at the weekends.

—   Yes, you’re right! However, I would rather go to places, which are full of people. It makes me feel safe.

—   Oh, this is a strong reason! Especially if you are going somewhere alone. Nevertheless, if I were you, I would rather go on Monday.

—   Well, it’s your choice! What about you? Why didn’t you come with me? You told me that you’ll explain me everything later!

—   Yes. I’m so sorry. I just had a temperature and was so weak, so I couldn’t talk at all.

—   Oh, I see. How do you feel now?

—   I have a sore throat and runny nose.

—   You had better stay in bed and drink tea with lemon.

—   I would rather take some medicine, because I feel so awful!

—   Maybe, you’re right! John, I have to go now. Get well and talk to you later!

—   OK, thanks, Dan! Bye.

—   Bye. John.

Now I think you understand that in the lesson today we will:

·        talk about the word combinations “would rather” and “had better”;

·        learn how to use them.

First of all, we will look closely at the word combination had better.

Do you know when we can use it?

Let me help you!

We use “had better” when we talk about present or future. The meaning of this word combination is similar to the meaning of modal verb “should”.

Now we will find the answers to the following questions: “What do “had better” and “should” have in common?” and “What is the difference between them?”

1.     What do had better and should have in common?

We use both of them, when we want to give somebody some piece of advice.

2.     What is the difference between had better and should?

Modal verb “should” is used to give general advice and it’s not connected to a particular situation. We can use “should”, when we want to share our opinion with somebody about what needs to be done. If our opinion is not taken into account, nothing serious will happen.

Look at the example:

Dialogue 1

—   Hey, Peter! How are you?

—   Hi, Dan! I’m fine, thank you. And you?

—   I’m fantastic, thanks. Do you know that Alex will have a party next weekend?

—   No, I don’t. That’s great! Let’s go together!

—   Peter, I think you shouldn’t go. Mark will also be there. I know that you don’t really like him.

—   Oh, please! I don’t have to talk to him! We should go!

—   Okay. I think it will be fun!

From this dialogue we can see that nothing serious will happen if Peter goes to the party. He might meet the person he can’t stand. However, if he does, there won’t be any terrible consequences.

Word combination “had better”, on the contrary, is used in certain situation. It’s a very strong expression. When the speaker uses this construction, he’s hinting at the fact that if you don’t follow the advice, something bad and awful can happen. For instance, someone will get hurt or get sick.

Let’s look at the example:

Dialogue 2 Mike and his dad are talking on the phone.

—       Hi, daddy!

—       Hi, Mike. Is something wrong?

—       Yes. Could you, please, pick me up from school right now? I have a high temperature.

—       Oh, I knew this was going to happen. You ate too much ice-cream yesterday! I’ll be there in 20 minutes.

—       You had better go to your school nurse. She will give you some pills or your temperature will go up.

—       Okay, dad!

From this dialogue we can see that if Mike doesn’t go to his school nurse, his temperature will go up. This can lead to serious health problems.

—       Now, do you know how we can form the sentences, using this construction?

—       Let’s find out!

Positive sentences:

1. Despite the fact that we use “had better”, when we talk about present or future, the verb form is “HAD,” not “HAVE”.

For example:

She had better take an umbrella with her on Tuesday, because the forecast calls for rain.

2. If we talk in an informal atmosphere, we usually use short form. It means that instead of “I HAD BETTER” we use “I’D BETTER”.

For example:

We’d better go before she gets furious.

3. After this construction, we use infinitive without particle “to”.

For example:

You had better get some sleep, because it will be very difficult for you to stay awake all night at work.

We don’t need particle to.

Negative sentences:

To form negative sentences, we need to add adverb not after the construction “had better”.

REMEMBER! We don’t need particle to before the verb.

For instance:

—       Andy, you had better not tell your parents about this awful situation!

—       I know. They will be mad at me.

Interrogative sentences:

To form this type of sentences we need to put had in first place, subject in second, better in third, infinitive (without particle to) in fourth. Than we put the rest of the words.

For instance:

—   Bobby, it seems to me that the earthquake is about to start.

—   Had we better leave the town?

—   I don’t think so!

From the example we can see that in first place we used had, in second – subject “we”, in third – better, in fourth – infinitive “to leave” without to.

Now we will talk about the other construction “would rather”.

Do you know when we can use it?

We can use the word combination “would rather”, when we talk about present or future.

The meaning of this construction is similar to the meaning of the verb “prefer”.

Let’s talk about the similarity and difference between would rather and prefer!

One

What is the similarity between “would rather” and “prefer”?

We use both of them when we want to tell somebody what we want, discuss our preferences. The construction “would rather” is also used to show that we want somebody to do something.

Two

What is the difference?

The only difference between “prefer” and “would rather” is that we use the first one in general situations and the second in particular situations.

Let’s compare two examples!

I prefer to wear colorful clothes rather than black clothes.

In this sentence we are talking about general situation.

Next:

—   Mike, what would you like to wear today?

—   I would rather wear something colorful. It’s a very important day for me!

Here we are talking about particular case. It’s a special day for Mike that’s why he wants to wear colorful clothes.

Look at the following two examples!

I prefer going to the cinema to watching movies on TV or on the Internet.

This sentence describes the general situation.

Next example:

—   Steve, let’s watch the movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” on the Internet. It’s of bad quality, but it doesn’t matter!

—   Oh, no, Tony! I would rather go to the cinema and watch this movie in HD.

This sentence describes the particular situation. Tony and Steve want to watch the movie. Steve wants to watch it in the cinema, but not on the Internet. 

Now we will talk about how to form the sentences, using this construction.

Positive sentences:

1. We use “would rather” instead of “will rather” and so on in spite of the fact that this construction is used to talk about present or future.

For example:

I would rather call her and try to find the truth myself.

2. If we want to use the short variant of “I would rather”, we can say “I’d rather”.

For example:

She’d rather do her homework now, because the girl has some plans for the evening.

3. After this construction, we also use infinitive without particle “to”.

For example:

He would rather take a car to drive his friend home.

We don’t need particle to.

Negative sentences:

When we form these sentences, we put adverb not after would rather.

Look at the example:

—   Kyle, I would rather not go to my sister’s dinner party! Let’s go home.

—   As you wish, Brad!

Interrogative sentences:

When we form this type of sentences, we put would in first place, subject in second, rather in third, infinitive (without particle to) in fourth. Than we use the rest of the words.

Look at the example:

—   Charles, I know that you broke up with Kate, but you’d better go to the party with me.

—   No, Brian! I don’t want to go anywhere!

—   Would you rather stay at home and do nothing? Kate will be at this party!

—   Really? Give me a second, please. I’ll get dressed.

From this example we see that in first place we put would, in second – subject “you”, in third – rather, in fourth – infinitive “to stay” without particle to.

Now I want to know whether you understood the rule or not.

Complete the sentences. Use the constructions from the box.

Let’s check the right answers.

1. Our boss would rather we didn’t come to work at 9:30, because our working day starts at 9 o’clock.

2. Had we better invite him for the dinner? His behavior is so awful!

3. I would rather stay thirsty than have to drink this tasteless coffee. There is no sugar in it.

4. Billy had better not call Regina right now. She is teaching her pupils at this time.

5. Rachel had better eat more fruits and vegetables. I think that she often gets sick, because her body needs some vitamins.

The following sentences.

Let’s check.

6. Would your parents rather spend their money on the trip to the USA or on buying a new car?

7. Peter would rather not see his classmates, because he doesn’t like them at all. They played jokes on him and bullied him all the time.

8. Wendy had better go to Paris by bus or by car, because she gets airsick every time she goes by plane.

9. Kevin had better not eat pizza all the time. It’s really bad for his health.

10. My sister would rather not go to the doctor unless the case is very serious. She treats herself at home.

—   Pupils often confuse these two constructions. We think that after our lesson, you won’t have such problems.

—   That’s all for today! We hope you liked the video. See you soon.