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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #109627: I'd better... I'd rather...
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Speaking | Frequent mistakes | Idioms [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Placement test beginners: Check your spelling - Past simple or present perfect - Vocabulary: greeting people - Vocabulary: on the phone - On the phone - Interacting with someone - Although / in spite of / despite - Dialogue : What time...?
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    I'd better... I'd rather...


    1) YOU'D  BETTER  =   "You would be better off doing this' : this expression is a warning (sometimes implying a threat). It's used to give advice and orders, including to the person who's speaking!

    The full expression is=  I HAD better ; the form is that of a past, yet, the meaning is in the present or future.

    The expression must be followed by an infinitive without TO. 

    ex: You'd better hurry, or you'll be late. 

     

    Used in the negative form, you must be very careful to the word order ! = You'd better NOT do

    ex: He'd better not  come to that party. If he does, I'll go away. 

     

    2) I ' D  RATHER ....

    A)  I'd rather  = I would prefer... expresses a choice, a preference.

    The full expression is = I WOULD rather + infinitive without TO.

    The auxiliary has, of course, consequences when you want to form a question tag:

    ex: I'm sure you'd rather drink water than tea, just now, wouldn't you? 

    ex: Would you rather  play cards or watch TV? I'd rather have a rest doing nothing. 

     

     Notice that if the choice is given between several things or possibilities, 'than' is then used. (It's a former comparative form.) 

     

    B) I'd rather + subject of a verb in the modal preterite: this preterite indicates that the action isn't real: it's simply choice which is expressed, a preference and is often a warning,or even a threat to the subject of the verb.

    ex: You don't have to come tonight ! I'd rather you came tomorrow...

                                                                                                           

    There you are! You know everything!  

     

     

     

     





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    English exercise "I'd better... I'd rather..." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    1) Come on Susie, hurry if we want to catch the 5 o'clock train.
    2) Mom have dinner before taking my bath... I'm starving and I'd like to enjoy a long dip...
    3) Oh dear! These chocolates look good... But take any... I'm on a diet!
    come to work in the morning, or in the afternoon?
    5)) stop crying ! If not, your eyes will be red and you'll have bags under them...
    6) Really, you looked after the baby yourself... I don't like the idea of sitters...
    7) slow down... There's a police car following us...
    8) go home now... I'll text her mom to say she's on her way.
    9) have a holiday in the mountains than at the seaside this year... The weather's much too hot just now...
    10) Yes, Peter, I know go to the swimming pool, but I think stay home till your cold is finished.









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