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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

I'd rather VS I'd better

Hi,

Following is part of an online English test:

Select the right version:
(1) I'd rather have a cup of tea than a cup of coffee.
(2) I'd better have a cup of tea than a cup of coffee.

Test-takers are supposed to choose (1)...
What is wrong with (2)?

mus-te
  

Top answer

"I'd RATHER ... " refers to PREFERENCE. It reminds me of that wonderful quote (attributed to many) that goes: "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy".

— KrisBlueNZ

  • "I'd RATHER ...
  • " refers to PREFERENCE.
  • It reminds me of that wonderful quote (attributed to many) that goes: "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy".
  • The "I'd" is short for I WOULD.
  • " (or in full, I HAD BETTER) refers to some kind of necessity or urgency.
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3 Answers
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"I'd RATHER ... THAN ..." refers to PREFERENCE. It reminds me of that wonderful quote (attributed to many) that goes: "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy". The "I'd" is short for I WOULD.
"I'd BETTER ..." (or in full, I HAD BETTER) refers to some kind of necessity or urgency. For example "I'd better sit down before I faint". Also, I'd BETTER does not use THAN, beca
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Given the context, # 1 is the only correct answer.
MUSCOVITE(2) I'd better have a cup of tea than a cup of coffee.
Grammatically, it is not wrong. But it has a a problem with semantics.
# 2 is ok If the context were: Would you like a cup of tea or coffee? Thanks but I'd better stay away from caffeine. I'd rather hav
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I'd rather have a coffee than tea
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