Form
had better + base verb (negative: had better not + base verb). The form is the same for all subjects, usually contracted: I'd better, you'd better, she'd better.
Use
- Strong advice with a warning about a problem if you don't follow it: You'd better hurry or we'll miss the train.
- It refers to the present or future, not the past, even though it contains had.
Strength of advice
could / might want to (soft) → should (normal) → had better (strong) → must (obligation).
Watch out
- No to after had better: You'd better go.
- Negative: had better not, not hadn't better: We'd better not wait.
- Tag question: You'd better go, hadn't you?
- Informal speech sometimes drops had: You better go.
En español
Had better + verbo base = más te vale / sería mejor que. Es un consejo fuerte que implica un problema si no se sigue. Se refiere al presente o futuro. Negativo: had better not.
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