Using the structures Would better, Had better in English

1. Definition of the structures would better, had better

Hai cụm từ này có ý nghĩa giống nhau, được dịch là “nên” hoặc “tốt hơn là”. Cấu trúc này dùng để khuyên nhủ ai làm một việc gì đó. Nếu không thực hiện thì một vấn đề nào đó sẽ phát sinh.

For example:

•  You would better study hard, you have to do the test in the next 2 days. (Cậu tốt nhất là nên học hành chăm chỉ, cậu có bài kiểm tra trong hai ngày tới.)
• You hadn’t better not send the message to her. (Cậu tốt hơn là không gửi tin nhắn cho cô ấy.)
• He has to pick his boss in 20 minutes. He would better go now or he will be late. (Anh ấy phải đón sếp của mình trong vòng 20 phút nữa. Anh ta nên đi luôn nếu không sẽ muộn mất.)

2. Ways to use the structures would better, had better

Như vậy, ta có thể thấy rõ sử dụng cấu trúc would better, had better dùng để khuyên bảo nhưng mang sắc thái mạnh mẽ hơn là dùng should.

The general form of this structure is as follows:

Affirmative sentence:

Negative sentence:

For example:

• You would better order a glass of juice, carbonate water is not good for your health. (Cậu tốt hơn là nên gọi một cốc nước ép, nước có gas không tốt cho sức khỏe.)
• You had better not tell Lily about the broken glass. She’ll get mad. (Cậu tốt nhất là không nên nói cho Lily biết về chiếc cốc vỡ. Cô ta sẽ điên lên đấy.)

3. Structures similar to would better, had better

Trong ngữ pháp tiếng Anh có một loại cấu trúc cũng có ý nghĩa gần giống với would better, had better, đó là would rather, would prefer. Tuy nhiên, cách sử dụng hai cấu trúc này thì lại có chút khác nhau, chúng ta cần phân biệt thật rõ.

 The structures would rather, would prefer are also used to talk about doing something preferable. However, these structures are specifically used to discuss preferences.

For example:

• I’d better get a taxi. The buses are so slow.(Tốt nhất là nên bắt taxi. Xe buýt rất chậm.)

            →Taking a taxi is a good suggestion, as advice. It's better to take a taxi because buses are very slow.

• I would rather get a taxi. I don’t like buses. (Tôi nên bắt taxi thì hơn. Tôi không thích xe buýt.)

           →This person prefers taking a taxi over taking the bus.

4. Considerations when using the structures had better, would better

This structure is often used in spoken language. Although 'had' is the past tense auxiliary verb, 'had better' actually expresses advice for the future or present.

For example:

• You had better be on time tomorrow. (Cậu tốt nhất là nên đúng giờ vào ngày mai.)
• The type loses its air. We would better stop to repair. (Lốp xe bị hết hơi. Chúng ta tốt nhất là nên dừng lại để sửa.)

*Lưu ý: Cấu trúc had better, would better thường được viết tắt là ‘d better

For instance: Mike should stop smoking. (Mike tốt hơn là nên dừng việc hút thuốc.)

5. Exercises on the structures would better, had better

5.1. Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with appropriate phrases.

1. You …………….call the shop before visiting it.
2. Anna would never go by plane to save time. She………………..spend long hour on a train.
3. Look at the cloud! We …………….go home before the storm start 
4. I’m not in the mood for a thriller. I………..watch a comedy.
5. I feel so tired. I……….lie down.

5.2. Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences correctly using would better or had better.

1. You and John should go to King restaurant this evening. It’s a good restaurant.
2. You have an exam tomorrow. You should come home and study right now  
3. It’s midnight, you should turn off the TV and go to bed.
4. Mike looks so tired. He should go home to take a rest.
5. Your car is running out of petrol, you should stop to buy some.

5.3. Answer Key

Bài 1:

1. should/ would better/ had better
2. would rather
3.  should/ would better/ had better
4. would rather/ would refer
5. would better/ had better

1. You and John would better go to King restaurant this evening. It’s a good restaurant.
2. You had better come home and study right now. You have an exam tomorrow.
3. You would better turn off the TV and go to bed. It’s midnight
4. Mike had better go home to take a rest, he looks so tired
5. You had better stop buying petrol. Your car is running out of its energy.