Would rather, had better and it's time
I'd rather stay in, you'd better hurry, it's time we left: preferences, strong advice and what should happen now.
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Three fixed phrases look like the past but talk about now or the future. Had better gives strong advice or a warning. Would rather says what we prefer. It's time says that something should happen now, or should already have started. Had better and would rather are followed by a verb without to. Would rather and it's time take a past form when another person is the subject.
Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
had better + verb | strong advice, a warning |
would rather + verb | prefer |
would rather + person + past | want someone else to do it |
it's time + person + past | it should happen now |
Had better: strong advice or a warning
Had better + verb (short form 'd better) says what is the right thing to do in a particular situation, often because something bad will happen if you don't. The meaning is present or future, even though had looks like the past.
- You'd better take an umbrella. It's going to pour.
- We'd better hurry, or we'll miss the train.
- I'd better go now. It's late.
- Incorrect: You had better to call her today.
- Correct: You'd better call her today.Had better is followed by the verb without to.
The negative is had better not + verb.
- You'd better not be late again.
- Incorrect: You hadn't better tell anyone.
- Correct: You'd better not tell anyone.Not goes after better, not after had.
Had better is stronger than should and is about one situation, not general advice. For general advice, should is usual: People should eat more vegetables.
Would rather: preference
Would rather + verb (short form 'd rather) means would prefer to. To compare two actions, use than, and again the verb has no to.
- I'd rather stay at home tonight.
- I'd rather walk than take the bus.
- Would you rather have tea or coffee?
- I'd rather not talk about it.
- Incorrect: I'd rather to stay here.
- Correct: I'd rather stay here. / I'd prefer to stay here.Would rather takes the verb without to. Would prefer takes to.
- Incorrect: I'd rather cook at home than to go out.
- Correct: I'd rather cook at home than go out.
In British English I'd sooner is also heard with the same meaning: I'd sooner wait here.
Would rather + another person + past simple
When you prefer someone else to do something, put a subject after would rather and use the past simple. The meaning is present or future.
- I'd rather you didn't smoke in the car.
- She'd rather we came on Saturday.
- Would you rather I stayed?
- Incorrect: I'd rather you to come tomorrow.
- Correct: I'd rather you came tomorrow.With another person, use person + past simple, not person + to.
In speech you will also hear the present (I'd rather you don't tell him), but the past simple is the standard form.
It's time
It's time to + verb is the general form. It's time for + noun works too.
- It's time to go.
- It's time for lunch.
It's time + person + past simple says that someone should do something now, and is a little late with it. It's high time or it's about time makes it stronger and often critical.
- It's time we went home. Everyone else has left.
- It's high time you found a job.
- It's about time they fixed this road.
- Incorrect: It's time you to go to bed.
- Correct: It's time you went to bed. / It's time for you to go to bed.After it's time + a person, use the past simple. Or use for + person + to.
Had better, would rather and should: the forms
Phrase | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
had better | You'd better go. | You'd better not go. |
would rather | I'd rather go. | I'd rather not go. |
should | You should go. | You shouldn't go. |
Be careful with 'd. In you'd better it is had, and in I'd rather it is would. In both, the verb after it has no to and no ending.
- Incorrect: You'd better went home.
- Correct: You'd better go home.Had better is followed by the base form, never a past form.
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