Would rather

We use would rather or ’d rather to talk about preferring one thing to another. Would rather has
two different constructions. (The subjects are underlined in the examples.)

Compare

same subject (+ base form) different subject (+ past simple clause)

I’d  rather stay at home than go out tonight. I’d rather you stayed at home tonight.
I’d  rather not go out tonight I’d rather you didn’t go out tonight.

In negative sentences with a different subject, the negative comes on the clause that follows, not
on would rather:
She’d rather you didn’t phone after 10 o’clock.

Same subject
When the subject is the same person in both clauses, we use would rather (not) followed by the
base form of the verb:
We’d rather go on Monday. More than half the people questioned would rather have a shorter
summer break and more holidays at other times.
I’d  rather not fly. I hate planes.

Different subjects
When the subjects of the two clauses are different, we often use the past simple to talk about the
present or future, and the past perfect to talk about the past:
I  would rather they  did  something about it instead of just talking about it. (past simple to talk
about the present or future)
Would  you rather  I wasn’t  honest with you? (past simple to talk about the present or future)
I’d  rather you hadn’t rung me at work. (past perfect to talk about the past)
 Had better
 

We use had better to refer to the present or the future, to talk about actions we think people
should do or which are desirable in a specific situation. The verb form is always had, not have.
We normally shorten it to ’d better in informal situations. It is followed by the infinitive
without to:
It’s five o’clock. I’d better go now before the traffic gets too bad.
The democratic movement  had better concentrate on the immediate issues of the economy and
security. (more formal)

Had better is a strong expression. We use it if we think there will be negative results if someone
does not do what is desired or suggested:
She’d better get here soon or she’ll miss the opening ceremony.

Had better: negative and question forms

The negative of had better is had better not (or ’d better not):

I’d better not  leave my bag there. Someone might steal it.
You’d better not tell Elizabeth about the broken glass – she’ll go crazy!

The question form of had better is made by inverting the subject and had. This means the same
as should, but is more formal:
Had I better  speak to Joan first before I send this form off? What do you think?
Had we better leave a note for the delivery guy to take the parcel next door?
Negative questions with had better are more common than affirmative ones:
Hadn’t we better ring the school and tell them Liam is sick?
Hadn’t you better switch your computer off? It might overheat if you leave it on.