Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future

Use

Positive Forms 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can also use:

had better  recommendation

1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"  People should unplug toasters before they clean them.

2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE"  You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it.

3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it.

1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"  People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first.

2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE"  You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first.

3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it.

should, ought to

had better  desperate hope, warning

The movie had better end soon.

They had better be here before we start dinner.

Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.

They had better not be late.

They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift.

Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future.

"Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English

Use

Positive Forms 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

Negative Forms 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future

You can  also use:

have to certainty

1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.

2. That has to have been the right restaurant. There were no other restaurants on the street.

3. NONE

1. SHIFT TO "MUST"  That must not be Jerry. They said he has blond hair, not red hair.

2. SHIFT TO "MUST"  That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there was another one around there somewhere.

3. NONE

must, have got to

have to necessity

1. She has to read four books for this literature class.

2. She had to finish the first book before the midterm.

3. She will have to finish the other books before the final exam.

1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's optional reading for extra credit.

2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class.

3. She won't have to take any other literature classes. American Literature 101 is the only required course.

must

REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not"  "Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.

Examples:

• You must not eat that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.

• You don't have to eat that. You can if you want to, but it is not necessary.