MODALITY
Had better, it's time and would rather
These three patterns talk about what is best to do now. Had better warns, it's time says the moment has come, and would rather says what you prefer. After a new subject, the verb moves one step back to the past simple.
| Had better | It's time | Would rather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| + | You had better go now. | It's time to go. | I'd rather stay. |
| − | You had better not be late. | It's not time to go yet. | I'd rather not go. |
| ? | Had we better leave? | Is it time to go? | Would you rather walk? |
- Had better and would rather are followed by the base verb, never to
- Had better is about now or soon, not the past
- It's time we left and I'd rather you stayed use the past simple for now
- It's high time is stronger
Colours in the rules
- subject Who or what does it: I, she, my brother.
- verb The action or state: walk, work, go.
- other words Time words and the rest of the pattern.
B2 Had better: strong advice or a warning
Use had better + base verb for strong advice or a warning about now or soon: something bad may happen if you do not follow it. The negative is had better not.
subject had better base verb
Examples
- You had better take an umbrella.Why: Had better gives strong advice: rain is likely.
- We'd better not be late.Why: 'd better not is the negative: not goes after better.
Common mistake
Wrong:You had better to go now.
Right:You had better go now.
B1 It's time to do something
Use it's time to + base verb to say that now is the right moment to do something. To name who does it, add for: it's time for us to go.
It's time to base verb
Examples
- It's time to start the lesson.Why: To + base verb names what to do now.
- It's time for us to leave.Why: For us says who has to do it.
Common mistake
Wrong:It's time going home.
Right:It's time to go home.
B2 It's time someone did something
Use it's time + subject + past simple to say that something should be done now and it is already late. The past form does not mean the past. High or about makes it stronger.
It's time subject past simple
Examples
- It's time we left.Why: Left is a past form, but the time is now.
- It's high time you found a job.Why: High time makes it stronger: it is late already.
Common mistake
Wrong:It's time you to go to bed.
Right:It's time you went to bed.
B1 Would rather ... than, and would rather not
Use would rather ... than to choose one thing over another. Both verbs are the base form, with no to. The negative is would rather not.
subject would rather base verb than base verb
Examples
- I'd rather walk than drive.Why: Than links the two choices: walking is preferred.
- She would rather not go.Why: Would rather not says she prefers not to go.
Common mistake
Wrong:I'd rather walk than to drive.
Right:I'd rather walk than drive.
B2 Would rather someone did something
Use would rather + subject + past simple to say what you want someone else to do, or not to do. The past form is about now or later, not the past.
subject would rather subject past simple
Examples
- I'd rather you stayed here.Why: Stayed is a past form, but the wish is about now.
- She would rather we didn't tell him.Why: Didn't tell is negative: she does not want us to tell him.
Common mistake
Wrong:I'd rather you to stay here.
Right:I'd rather you stayed here.
Practice all rules
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