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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Had better / It’s time

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

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

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.