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Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Had better

What do these ones mean?

1. There'd better not be eels in here. I hate eels. ( Is 'there'd'= 'there had'? If so, why is 'had' past tense?)

2. I'd better get back to work. (Why not use 'I better get back to work.' ?)

Thanks.
  

Top answer

1-- Had better ( 'd better ) is not past tense, Jack-- it is a modal idiom, like would rather . 2-- You will hear people say I better , but it should be transcribed as I'd better .

— Mister Micawber

  • 1-- Had better ( 'd better ) is not past tense, Jack-- it is a modal idiom, like would rather .
  • 2-- You will hear people say I better , but it should be transcribed as I'd better .
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1 Answers
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1-- Had better ('d better) is not past tense, Jack-- it is a modal idiom, like would rather.
2-- You will hear people say I better, but it should be transcribed as I'd better.
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