WOULD RATHER
The phrasal modal HAD BETTER has a similar meaning to
SHOULD (= it is advisable that …). The contracted form
‘d better is most commonly used.
 We’d better get going. = We should get going. = It is
advisable for us to get going.
 I want to be home by midnight. I ’d better go now or I’ll
be late.
 You’d better take an umbrella. They said it might rain.
Has better is often stronger than should, it can sound like a
threat.
 You’d better study a bit harder or you won’t pass the
exams.
 Tell Yoni he’d better stay away from my car.
The negative of had better is had better not.
 You’d better not talk to Jack today. He’s very angry with
you.
 You’d better not touch my new computer again.
 This is my first day at work. I’d better not be late.
Remember: The form is always HAD BETTER but is does not
refer to the past. It refers only to the present or future.
 You‘d better go. = You should go.
Complete the following sentences using HAD BETTER/
´D BETTER and HAD BETTER NOT + base form of the verb.
Use an appropriate expression from the list.
1. I have to be at school in ten minutes.
____________________________________________
2. You don’t look very well. You
____________________________________________
3. I’m worried. Tom should have been here by now. I
____________________________________________
4. The restaurant is usually crowded.
We_________________________________________
5. I won’t have time to go out for lunch. I
____________________________________________
6. I was very angry with you. You
____________________________________________
take a sandwich with me – do that again –
ask his friends if they know where he is – go to
the doctor – book a table – leave now
The phrasal modal WOULD RATHER expresses preference.
WOULD RATHER is similar to would prefer to.
 It’s getting too noisy here. I’d rather leave now.
 I´d rather watch TV this evening than go to the
movies.
The negative of WOULD RATHER is WOULD RATHER NOT.
 I’d rather not go out this evening.
 I’d rather not eat any more, if you don’t mind.
 Would you like to go out this evening? I ´d rather not.
Remember: WOULD RATHER is a phrasal modal and is always
followed by the base form of the verb.
Complete the following 6 dialogues using the appropriate
expressions from the list. Use WOULD RATHER (´d rather) or
WOULD RATHER NOT (‘d rather not).
Francis: Let’s go to London by car.
Danny: _______________________________________
Michael: Do you prefer to go to Italy or France this summer?
Rachel: _______________________________________
Ron: What did Alice tell you?
Gil: _______________________________________
Liz: Do you feel like going to the movies this evening?
Rina: No, ____________________________________
Nora: What’s the matter?
Sheila: I don’t feel very well. _________________________
Vera: Would you like some coffee?
Simon: ________________________________________
 have some hot chocolate
 go to Italy
 watch a film on TV
 go by train
 go to school today
 say
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