6. Semi-modal verbs / HAD BETTER

Semi-modal verbs or semi-modal auxiliary verbs are so-called because they can function as modal auxiliary verbs as well as main verbs . Semi-modal verbs combine with the preposition to to express about the same things as the main modal verbs . The bare form of the main verb always follows the semi-modal verbs which are had better , ought to , used to , dare , and need . Semi-modal verbs are used with main verbs, but they cannot be used as main verbs by themselves.

Semi-modal verbs do not have simple past tense, present participles, or past participles. They cannot be used to form infinitives with the exception of ought to  and used to . Both these verbs are always followed by infinitives.  When a semi-modal verb is used with a third-person singular subject, it does not change its form.

Had better

Had better  is used to issue warning, give advice, make suggestion, recommend an action that will avoid  something bad that is likely to happen, or to say something that should be done or is worth doing in a particular situation. The verb had  of had better  cannot be changed to have . It is always had . It can be contracted to You’d better . . .

We use had better  for the present and future, but not the past. The present continuous tense is not used with had better .

Examples:

  • You  had better  (  ‘d better )  go  now before the store is closed. (Present)
  • We  had better  get up early tomorrow. We are going to leave early. (Future)
  • Not : She had better watched  the documentary last night. (Past)
  • Not : You had better stopping  the car at the roadside. (Present continuous)

The verb that follows the modal verb had better is always in the simple present tense.

Examples:

  • We  had better  go by taxi.
  • You  had better  clear up the mess before mom returns.
  • At your age, you  had better  have regular check-ups.

The main modal verbs  should and ought to  can be used to replace  had better  without affecting the meaning.

Examples:

  • You are coughing loudly.
  • You  had better  see a doctor.
  • You  should / ought to  see a doctor.
  • I think I'm overeating.
  • I think I  had better  go on a diet.
  • I think I  should / ought to  go on a diet.
  • We tell her not to befriend him. He's a drug addict.
  • We tell her she  had better not  befriend him. He's a drug addict.
  • We tell her she  should not / ought not to  befriend him. He's a drug addict.

‘Had better’ used in question and contraction

The modal verb  had better  has its negative form with the word  not  following it:  had better not .  Â

Examples:

  • I  had better not  arrive late if I want to have a seat.
  • You  had better not  use the device without reading the instructions.
  • We  had better not  drink too much tonight.

Questions using ‘had better’

In questions using had better , the subject comes between them. Negative questions will have  had not  in contracted form coming before the subject.

Examples:

  • Had   you  better  write down my phone number before you forget it?
  • Had we better stop arguing so much over such a small matter?
  • Hadn’t they  better  let us know if they are coming?
  • Hadn’t we better inform them where we are going?