Intermediate Grammar
Master English grammar one unit at a time. Clear notes, then 40+ interactive exercises with instant feedback — based on the topics in English Grammar in Use (Intermediate).
Had better / It’s time“had better (+ base verb) · had better not · it’s time + past” — 44 interactive questions
📖 Grammar Reference — Had better / It’s time
Study the notes, then work through the six exercises.
A had better (I’d better) — the best thing to do now
I’d better do something = it is the wise thing to do in this situation. If you don’t, there will be a problem or danger:
💡 Full form is had better; in speech we say I’d / you’d / we’d better. Tag: I’d better phone her, hadn’t I?
B Negative had better not · had is not past here
| + | had better do | You‘d better wear a coat. |
| – | had better not do | You‘d better not be late. |
The word had looks past, but the meaning of had better is present or future, never past:
💡 Negative is ‘d better not: I‘d better not say anything yet.
C had better or should?
Both give advice, but they are not the same:
💡 Don’t use had better for general advice: You’d better go out more often → You should go out more often.
D It’s time …
Two patterns — both about now:
💡 It’s time + past means the present, and often criticises: It’s time you tidied your room!
Made with care for English learners · allenglish4u.com
Original practice material inspired by the English Grammar in Use syllabus (Cambridge University Press). Example sentences and exercises are written by All English 4U.