Had better?

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, there will be a problem or danger.

I have to meet Amy in ten minutes. I’d better go now or I will be late.
“Do you think I should take an umbrella?” “Yes, you ‘d better. It might rain.”
We’d better stop for gas soon. The tank is almost empty.

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

“Are you going out tonight?” “I’d better not. I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
You don’t look very well. You’d better not go to work today.

You can use had better when you warn somebody that they must do something:

You’d better be on time.
You’d better not be late.

Note that the form is “had better” (usually I’d better / you’d better, etc. in spoken English)

I’d better go now = I had better go now

Had is a past form, but in this expression the meaning 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 specific occasions (not for things in general). You can use should in all types os situations to give an opinion or to give advice :

It’s cold today. You’d better wear a coat when you go out. (a specific occasion)
I think all drivers should wear seat belt. (in general – not “had better wear”)

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