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SpongeBarb Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

had better/had best

Some grammar books list and explain only "had better" while leave "had best" out, but I do hear people say "had best" instead of "had better" occasionally. Is "had best" kind of a new idiom formed just recently? Is it acceptable in formal writing? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, I think both are acceptable. 'Better' suggests one course of action is better than another. 'Best' suggests one course of action is better than all others.

  • Hi, I think both are acceptable.
  • 'Better' suggests one course of action is better than another.
  • 'Best' suggests one course of action is better than all others.
  • Clive
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1 Answers
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Hi,

I think both are acceptable. 'Better' suggests one course of action is better than another. 'Best' suggests one course of action is better than all others.

Clive

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