It should be: Y ou'd (You had) better not argue with me. However, the version with 'd (had) is so common that it has almost become acceptable.
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
AnonymousBut the 'you'd' sounds like it is in the past! What about the one I wrote, you better not, which sounds more in the present, is it correct?You had better go means something like It would be better if you went.
Anonymousis that considered to be correct in formal English writing?No.