035 : I’d better … / it’s time …

   A   

Had better (I'd better / you'd better etc.)

 

 

I'd better do something = it is advisable to do it. If I don't do it, there will be a problem or a danger:

• I have to meet Amy in ten minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late.
• ‘Shall I take an umbrella?’  ‘Yes, you'd better. It might rain.’
• We'd better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty. 

     // petrol(영) = gas, gasoline(미)

 

The negative is I'd better not do (= I had better not do):

• ‘The jacket looks good on you. Are you going to buy it?’  ‘I'd better not. It's too expensive.’
• You don't look very well. You'd better not go out tonight.

 

 

Remember that:

 

The form is ‘had better’ (usually ‘I'd better / you'd better’ etc. in spoken English).

• I'd better phone Chris, hadn't I?

 

Had is normally past, but the meaning of had better is present or future, not past.

• I'd better go to the bank now / tomorrow.

 

We say ‘I'd better do’ (not to do):

• It might rain. We'd better take an umbrella. (not We'd better to take)

 

 

   B   

Had better and should

 

 

Had better is similar to should, but not exactly the same.

We use had better only for a specific situation, not for things in general.

You can use should in all types of situations to give an opinion or give advice:

• It's late. You'd better go. / You should go. (a specific situation)
• You're always at home. You should go out more often. (in general)

 

 

Also, with had better, there is always a problem or a danger  if you don't follow the advice.
Should means only 'it is a good thing to do'. Compare:

• It's a great film. You should go and see it.  (but no problem if you don't)
• The film starts at 8.30. You'd better go now or you'll be late.

 

 

   C   

It's time ...

 

 

You can say It's time (for somebody) to do (something):

• It's time to go home. / It's time for us to go home.

 

You can also say it's time + past (we went / I did / they were etc.).

But the meaning is present, not past:

• It's late. It's time we went home.
• It's time they were here. Why are they so late? (not It's time they are here)

 

It's time somebody did something = they should have already done it or started it. We often use this structure to criticise or to complain:

• This situation can't continue. It's time you did something about it.
• He's very selfish. It's time he realised that he isn't the most important person in the world.

 

You can also say It's about time ... . This makes the criticism stronger:

• Jack is a great talker. But it's about time he did something instead of just talking.

 

 

 

 

※ advise : 

 

 

 

※ criticise :