Using HAD BETTER. Differences with SHOULD and MUST.
HAD BETTER:
-
Strong Advice with Consequences: “Had better” is used to give strong advice with a sense of consequences if the advice is not followed.
Example: “It’s 5:00 o’clock. I’d better go before traffic gets too bad.” -
No “To” After “Had Better”: Similar to “should,” “had better” is used without “to” before the verb.
Example: “You’d better arrive on time if you don’t want to miss the opening ceremony.” -
Formal and Informal Usage: While “had better” is more formal than “should” and “must”. But contractions like “she’d better” or even omitting “had” like “she better” can be used informally.
Example: “She had better double-check her work before submitting it to the boss.” -
Negative Question Form: In questions, “had better” can be used in a formal way to ask for advice or suggestions.
Example: “Had I better speak to him before sending the form?”
SHOULD:
- Recommendation: “Should” is used to give advice or make suggestions.
Example: “You should go to the doctor.”
MUST:
-
Strong Obligation: “Must” is used to express a strong sense of necessity or obligation.
Example: “You must brush your teeth.” -
Rule or Requirement: It can indicate a requirement or a rule that needs to be followed.
Example: “You must not touch the lion.”
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