> 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 a 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!  

Twitter Share
English exercise "I'd better... I'd rather..." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1) Come on Susie, you'd ratheryou would ratheryou would betteryou'd betterI don't know hurry if we want to catch the 5 o'clock train.
2) Mom I had ratherwould betterI'd ratherI'd betterI don't know 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 I'd rather not toI'd better notI'd rather to notI'd better not toI don't know take any... I'm on a diet!
Would you ratherHad you betterYou'd ratherHad you ratherI don't know come to work in the morning, or in the afternoon?
5)) Had you ratherYou'd betterYou'd ratherYou would betterI don't know stop crying ! If not, your eyes will be red and you'll have bags under them...
6) Really, I'd ratherI'd betterI had rather ifI had better ifI don't know you looked after the baby yourself... I don't like the idea of sitters...
7)You'd betterYou would ratherWould you ratherhad you betterI don't know slow down... There's a police car following us...
8)She'd better toShe had rather.She'd ratherShe'd betterI don't know go home now... I'll text her mom to say she's on her way.
9)I'd betterI had betterI had ratherI'd ratherI don't know 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 you'd betteryou had betteryou'd rather toyou'd ratherI don't know go to the swimming pool, but I think you'd much betteryou'd better muchyou'd rather muchI don't know stay home till your cold is finished.