Had better is a modal verb that is used to give advice or suggestions in a specific situation.
The verb form is always had, not have, and it is followed by the infinitive without to. We normally shorten it to ‘d better in informal situations. For example:
- You’d better hurry up or you’ll miss the bus.
- They’d better pay their bills on time or they’ll face a penalty.
In spoken English we normally use the short form ‘d better. And in informal speech, people sometimes say just better (without had).
- You better go home.
- I better get it right this time.
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