Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 35 · B1

I'd better ... it's time ...

I'd better do something means there will be trouble if I don't, in this particular situation. It's time we went means we should already be going.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

had better (I'd better, you'd better)A2 screens of questions
had better and shouldB2 screens of questions
it's time ...C2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

had better (I'd better, you'd better)

I'd better do something means it is advisable to do it. If I don't, there will be a problem or a danger.

The negative is I'd better not.

Three things to remember:

  • I'd better = I had better. The question tag uses had: I'd better ring Mum, hadn't I?
  • Had is normally past, but had better is for the present or future: I'd better go now, I'd better go tomorrow.
  • We say I'd better do, not I'd better to do.
  • I'm meeting Keisha in ten minutes. I'd better go or I'll be late.
  • "Shall I take a brolly?" "Yes, you'd better. It might rain."
  • We'd better stop for diesel soon. The light's come on.
  • "That coat suits you. Are you getting it?" "I'd better not. It's two hundred quid."
  • You don't look well. You'd better not go to football tonight.
  • I'd better ring Mum, hadn't I?
  • It might snow. We'd better take the shovel. (not We'd better to take)

Point A · Exercise 35.1 · part 1 of 2

Read each situation and write a sentence with 'd better or 'd better not, using one of these verbs: check, disturb, go, put, book, take.

  1. Example

    You are going for a walk on the moors with a friend. It looks as if it might rain.

    (take / waterproofs)

    We'd better take our waterproofs.

    AnswerWe'd better take our waterproofs.

  2. You and Ash are going to a popular Thai restaurant tonight. It will be packed.

    (book / a table)

  3. Max has cut his finger. It's bleeding and needs a plaster.

    (put / a plaster on it)

  4. Rebecca looks dreadful this morning, nowhere near well enough for work.

    (go / to work today)

  5. You're going to the cinema but you're not sure when the film starts.

    (check / what time the film starts)

Point A · Exercise 35.1 · part 2 of 2

Read each situation and write a sentence with 'd better or 'd better not, using one of these verbs: check, disturb, go, put, book, take.

  1. You need a word with your manager, but she is very busy right now. You say to a colleague:

    (disturb / her right now)

Point B of 3

had better and should

Had better is close to should, but not the same.

  • Had better is only for a specific situation, never for things in general. Should works for both.
  • With had better, there is always a problem or a danger if the advice is ignored. Should only means it is a good thing to do.
  • The roads are icy. You'd better set off now. (or You should set off now: a specific situation)
  • You're always indoors. You should get out more. (in general, not had better)
  • It's a brilliant play. You should go and see it. (no harm done if you don't)
  • The play starts at half seven. You'd better leave now or you'll miss the start.

Point B · Exercise 35.2 · part 1 of 2

Is had better right here? Write OK, or change it to should.

  1. Example

    My train leaves in fifteen minutes. I'd better go or I'll miss it.

    OK

    AnswerMy train leaves in fifteen minutes. I'd better go or I'll miss it.

  2. You'd better set your alarm. You've got to be up at five.

  3. It's lovely to see you. You'd better come round more often.

  4. She'll be upset if we leave her out, so we'd better invite her.

  5. We're going out in ten minutes. I'd better get ready.

Point B · Exercise 35.2 · part 2 of 2

Is had better right here? Write OK, or change it to should.

  1. I think everybody had better learn to swim.

  2. We've missed the last train. We'd better get a taxi.

Point C of 3

it's time ...

You can say It's time (for somebody) to ...

You can also say It's time + subject + past. The meaning is present, not past: It's time we went means we should be going now.

It's time somebody did something means they should already have done it or started it. It is often used to criticise or complain. It's about time is the same, with added exasperation.

  • It's time to go home.
  • It's time for us to head back to the car.
  • It's getting dark. It's time we headed back to the car.
  • It's time they were here. What's keeping them? (not It's time they are here)
  • Things can't carry on like this. It's time you spoke to your landlord.
  • He thinks the world revolves around him. It's time he realised it doesn't.
  • Stuart is a great one for plans, but it's about time he actually did something.

Point C · Exercise 35.4 · part 1 of 2

Read each situation and write a sentence with It's time (somebody did something).

  1. Example

    You're at a friend's house. You meant to leave at eleven, and it's eleven now.

    (I / go)

    It's time I went home.

    AnswerIt's time I went home.

  2. You haven't had a holiday for ages, and you badly need one.

    (I / holiday)

  3. It's ten o'clock, well past the children's bedtime.

    (children / bed)

  4. You hadn't noticed how late it was, and you need to start making tea.

    (start / cook)

  5. Denise complains about absolutely everything, and you have had enough.

    (stop / complain)

Point C · Exercise 35.4 · part 2 of 2

Read each situation and write a sentence with It's time (somebody did something).

  1. The club you belong to has been badly run for years, and you think things should change.

    (changes / make)

Put it together · Exercise 35.3 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

Use these

betterdodidhadhadn'tI'dnottakeshouldwaswere

  1. Example

    It might snow. We'd better take a shovel.

    AnswerIt might snow. We'd better take a shovel.

  2. Mum needs to know what happened. Somebody had tell her.

  3. We'd better park here. The lane is too narrow.

  4. You brush your teeth twice a day.

  5. We've talked about it for months. It's time to a decision.

Put it together · Exercise 35.3 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

Use these

betterdodidhadhadn'tI'dnottakeshouldwaswere

  1. better not forget my passport. They won't let me fly without it.

  2. It's time they here. They swore they wouldn't be late.

  3. The back door's open. You'd shut it before you go out.

  4. We'd better leave as soon as we can, we?

Put it together · Exercise 35.3 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence with one or two words.

Use these

betterdodidhadhadn'tI'dnottakeshouldwaswere

  1. The council do something about the flooding.

  2. It's time the council something about the flooding.

  3. It's time something done about the flooding.

Lesson 35 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: wouldBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. had better (I'd better, you'd better)–Not checkedB. had better and should–Not checkedC. it's time ...–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked