Explanation
Exercises
Had better / It’s time

Quick rules

  • Had better gives strong, urgent advice or a warning about the near future: You’d better call her now.
  • It’s (about/high) time says that something should happen now (often it is already late/overdue): It’s time we left.
  • Both talk about present/near-future situations (not past events).

Tone: had better can sound strict or threatening; it’s time often sounds like a complaint or criticism when used with a subject + past form.

Form — had better

Pattern Example
Subject + had better + bare infinitive
(short form ’d better) 		I’d better leave now. • You’d better tell Mum.
Negative: had better not + V You’d better not be late. • I’d better not forget.
Questions (formal/rare): Hadn’t you better…? / Had we better…? Hadn’t you better call them first?
Informal (esp. AmE): drop had You better go home. (informal speech)
  • Meaning urgent advice + possible bad result if ignored: He’d better return the money, or he’ll be in trouble.
  • Time immediate present/near future: You’d better sit down; you look pale.

No “to” after better: ✗ I’d better to take a look → ✓ I’d better take a look. Do not use would better or have better.

Form — it’s time

Pattern Example
It’s time + to-infinitive It’s time to make a decision.
It’s time for + person + to-infinitive It’s time for you to see a doctor.
It’s (about/high) time + subject + past simple
past form, present meaning 		It’s (about) time you went to the doctor. • It’s high time we left.
Softer/ongoing (less common): past continuous It’s time we were going.
  • Meaning says what should happen now or soon; with subject + past it often shows criticism/complaint: It’s time you paid me back.
  • Intensifiers about/high make it stronger or more overdue.

Key contrasts & register

  • had better vs should/ought to: should/ought to = general advice; had better = urgent advice + implied danger/consequence. You should try the cake. vs He’d better hurry or he’ll miss the train.
  • had better is modal-like: no –s in 3rd person, no to, no continuous/perfect forms (✗ He is having better to…).
  • Tone: had better may sound strict or threatening; avoid with superiors/strangers unless the situation is serious.
  • It’s time with subject + past = stronger/critical; with to-infinitive = neutral instruction or plan.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ I’d better to go. → ✓ I’d better go.
  • ✗ Would better / have better. → ✓ had better only (short: ’d better).
  • ✗ Using past meaning: had is a fixed form; it talks about now/near future, not the past.
  • Overusing questions with had better. Prefer Should I…? / Do you think I should…?

Mini example bank

  • had better It’s freezing — you’d better wear a coat. • You’d better not say a word about this.
  • warning He’d better give me my money back, or he’ll be in trouble.
  • it’s time + to It’s time to choose a date. • It’s time for you to apply.
  • it’s (about/high) time + past It’s about time you started looking for a job. • It’s high time we left.

Pronunciation/short forms: in speech we usually say ’d better (You’d better). In informal speech, especially AmE, people sometimes say You better.

Exercises:
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3

Had better… It’s time…

Choose the correct forms of had better, it’s time, should, etc. to complete the following sentences.
1
You book your tickets in advance.
2
You be late for the ceremony.
3
It's late. I leave if I don't want to miss my train.
4
A: Did you like the museum? B: Yes, you visit it.
5
It’s almost midnight. It’s time you to bed.
6
You drink another beer if you’re driving.
7
He be here before nine if he wants the job.
8
It’s time himself to the team.
9
You try this cheesecake — it’s amazing!
10
You leave your bag in the car.

Had better… It’s time…

Choose the correct forms of had better, it’s time, should, etc. to complete the following sentences.
1
It’s getting cold. We _____ inside.
A.
B.
C.
2
It’s time we _____ the invitations.
A.
B.
C.
3
You _____ your boss about the delay; he’ll understand.
A.
B.
C.
4
It’s high time the company _____ more staff.
A.
B.
C.
5
The boss warned her: she _____ be late again.
A.
B.
C.
6
It’s time for us _____ the house.
A.
B.
C.
7
You _____ that contract without reading it carefully.
A.
B.
C.
8
It’s about time you _____ your driving test.
A.
B.
C.
9
Do you think we _____ now? It’s getting dark.
A.
B.
C.
10
It’s time the kids _____ to bed; they’ve got school tomorrow.
A.
B.
C.

Had better… It’s time…

Use the verbs in the box in the correct form to fill in the gaps.
change take call get admit study stop go back up save
1
It’s time he ____ his attitude.
2
It looks like rain. You’d better ____ an umbrella.
3
My parents must be worried. I’d better ____ them right now.
4
It’s time John ____ a new job.
5
You’d better ____ that you were wrong when they ask you.
6
They’d better ____ harder if they want to pass the exam.
7
It’s high time you ____ smoking.
8
I think you’d better ____ your password. This one isn’t safe.
9
It’s very late. It’s time we ____ home.
10
You’d better ____ your files before you update the system.