I'd Better & It's Time | Unit 35 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 35 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 35 · Leçon de Grammaire

I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Past — Complete Guide I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Passé — Guide Complet

Master I'd better for urgent advice with consequences, the difference between had better and should, and it's time + past simple for criticism and complaints

Maîtrisez I'd better pour les conseils urgents avec conséquences, la différence entre had better et should, et it's time + passé simple pour les critiques et plaintes

B1 – B1+ 3 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 3 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

In this unit we look at two important structures. Had better (usually I'd better / you'd better) is used for urgent advice when there will be a problem if you don't follow it. We also look at how it differs from should. Then we study it's time + past simple — used to criticise or complain that something should already have happened.

Dans cette unité, nous étudions deux structures importantes. Had better (généralement I'd better / you'd better) s'utilise pour des conseils urgents quand il y aura un problème si vous ne les suivez pas. Ensuite, nous étudions it's time + passé simple — pour critiquer ou se plaindre que quelque chose aurait déjà dû se passer.

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Urgent Advice

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Conseil urgent

I'd better do something = it is advisable to do it. If I don't do it, there will be a problem or a danger. Had better is used for specific situations — not general advice.

I'd better do quelque chose = il est conseillé de le faire. Si je ne le fais pas, il y aura un problème ou un danger. Had better s'utilise pour des situations spécifiques — pas pour des conseils généraux.

Subject + 'd better + base verb (positive)
Subject + 'd better not + base verb (negative)
I'd better go now. / You'd better not be late.
Question tag: I'd better phone Chris, hadn't I?

I have to meet Amy in ten minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late.

→ if I don't go now, there will be a problem (I'll be late)

→ si je ne pars pas maintenant, il y aura un problème (je serai en retard)

'Shall I take an umbrella?' 'Yes, you'd better. It might rain.'

We'd better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty.

→ danger: we might run out of petrol

→ danger : on risque de tomber en panne d'essence

A: That jacket looks good on you. Are you going to buy it?
B: I'd better not. It's very expensive.

→ negative: I'd better not = it's not advisable

→ négatif : I'd better not = ce n'est pas conseillé

You don't look very well. You'd better not go out tonight.

⚠️

Key grammar points:Points grammaticaux clés : (1) I'd better = I had better — NOT I would better. (2) Base verb (no to): ✓ We'd better take ✗ We'd better to take. (3) Had is past but refers to present/future — NOT past. (4) Negative: I'd better not (NOT I'd better don't). (1) I'd better = I had better — PAS I would better. (2) Base verb (sans to). (3) Had est passé mais réfère au présent/futur. (4) Négatif : I'd better not.

Had Better vs Should — Key Differences

Had Better vs Should — Différences clés

Had better and should are similar but not the same:

Had better et should se ressemblent mais ne sont pas identiques :

Had Better — specific + urgent

Had Better — spécifique + urgent

only for a specific situation · danger if you don't follow it

seulement pour une situation spécifique · danger si vous ne suivez pas

It's late. You'd better go. ✓

The film starts at 8.30. You'd better go now or you'll miss the beginning.

NOT: You'd better go out more often. ✗

Should — general or specific

Should — général ou spécifique

all situations · just a good thing to do · no danger implied

toutes situations · simplement une bonne chose à faire · pas de danger

It's late. You should go. ✓ (specific)

You're always at home. You should go out more often. ✓ (general)

It's a great film. You should go and see it. (no problem if you don't)

💡

The danger test:Le test du danger : Real problem/consequence if advice not followed → had better. Simply a good idea with no real danger → should. Vraie conséquence si le conseil n'est pas suivi → had better. Simplement une bonne idée sans danger réel → should.

It's Time + Past Simple — Criticism & Complaint

It's Time + Passé Simple — Critique et plainte

You can say it's time (for somebody) to … (neutral). But you can also say it's time + past simple. The past form has a present meaning — it implies something should already have happened.

On peut dire it's time (for somebody) to … (neutre). Mais on peut aussi utiliser it's time + passé simple. La forme passée a un sens présent — cela implique que quelque chose aurait déjà dû se passer.

It's time + to + base verb (infinitive — neutral)
It's time to go home. / It's time for us to go home.
It's time + subject + past simple (criticism/complaint)
It's time we went home. / It's time he realised he isn't always right.
It's about time + subject + past simple (stronger complaint)
It's about time he did something instead of just talking.

It's late. It's time we went home.

→ 'went' = past form but meaning = NOW — we should go now

→ 'went' = forme passée mais sens = MAINTENANT — on devrait partir maintenant

It's time they were here. Why are they so late? (NOT: It's time they are here)

This situation can't continue. It's time you did something about it.

→ criticism: you should have done it already

→ critique : tu aurais dû déjà le faire

Jack is a great talker, but it's about time he did something instead of just talking.

→ 'it's about time' = stronger complaint / more impatient

→ 'it's about time' = plainte plus forte / plus impatient

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It's time to … vs It's time he did …:It's time to … vs It's time he did … : It's time to go = neutral. It's time he went = critical/impatient — should have happened already. Use past simple (NOT present: ✗ It's time they are here). It's time to go = neutre. It's time he went = critique/impatient. Utilisez le passé simple (PAS le présent).

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Write sentences with 'd better or 'd better not

Exercice 1 — Écrivez des phrases avec 'd better ou 'd better not

Choose a verb from the box: check · disturb · go · put · reserve · take

Choisissez un verbe : check · disturb · go · put · reserve · take

Verb box:Boîte de verbes : check · disturb · go · put · reserve · take

You're going out for a walk. It looks like it might rain.

Vous allez vous promener. Il semble qu'il pourrait pleuvoir.

You say: We an umbrella. You say: We an umbrella.

You and Kate plan to go to a restaurant tonight. It will be busy.

Vous et Kate prévoyez d'aller au restaurant. Ce sera très fréquenté.

You say: We a table. You say: We a table.

Oliver has just cut himself. It's bleeding — he'll need a plaster.

Oliver vient de se couper. Ça saigne.

You say: You a plaster on it. You say: You a plaster on it.

Rebecca doesn't look well — not well enough to go to work.

Rebecca n'a pas l'air bien — pas assez pour aller travailler.

You say: You this morning. You say: You this morning.

You're going to the cinema but you're not sure what time the film starts.

Vous allez au cinéma mais vous n'êtes pas sûr(e) de l'heure.

You say: We what time the film starts. You say: We what time the film starts.

You need to talk to your boss, but she's very busy right now.

Vous devez parler à votre patron(ne), mais il/elle est très occupé(e).

You say: We her right now. You say: We her right now.

Answers:Réponses :
1. We'd better take an umbrella · 2. We'd better reserve a table · 3. You'd better put a plaster on it · 4. You'd better not go this morning · 5. We'd better check what time it starts · 6. We'd better not disturb her right now

EX 2

Exercise 2 — Is had better OK? Change to should where necessary

Exercice 2 — Had better est-il correct ? Changez en should si nécessaire

Write OK if had better is correct, or rewrite using should.

Écrivez OK si had better est correct, ou réécrivez avec should.

I have an appointment in ten minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late. → J'ai un rendez-vous dans dix minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late. →

You'd better set your alarm. You have to get up early tomorrow. → You'd better set your alarm. You have to get up early tomorrow. →

I'm glad you came to see us. You'd better come more often. → Je suis content(e) que tu sois venu(e). You'd better come more often. →

She'll be sad if we don't invite her, so we'd better invite her. → Elle sera triste si on ne l'invite pas, so we'd better invite her. →

It's nearly time to go out. I'd better get ready. → Il est presque l'heure de sortir. I'd better get ready. →

I think everybody had better learn a foreign language. → Je pense que tout le monde had better learn a foreign language. →

We've just missed the last bus. We'd better get a taxi. → On vient de rater le dernier bus. We'd better get a taxi. →

Answers:Réponses :
1. OK · 2. OK · 3. WRONG → You should come more often. · 4. OK · 5. OK · 6. WRONG → I think everybody should learn a foreign language. · 7. OK

EX 3

Exercise 3 — Complete the sentences. Choose from the box

Exercice 3 — Complétez les phrases. Choisissez dans l'encadré

Use each word or phrase from the box once.

Utilisez chaque mot ou expression de l'encadré une fois.

Word box: Boîte de mots : better do did had hadn't I'd not to should was were

It might rain. We'd better an umbrella.It might rain. We'd better an umbrella.

Ben needs to know what happened. Somebody better tell him.Ben doit savoir. Somebody better tell him.

We'd better park the car here. The road is too narrow.We'd better park the car here.

You brush your teeth at least twice a day.You brush your teeth at least twice a day.

What are we going to do? It's time decide.What are we going to do? It's time decide.

better not be late. It's an important meeting. better not be late.

It's time they here. They promised they wouldn't be late.It's time they here.

The window is open. You'd better — close it before you go out.The window is open. You'd better — close it before you go out.

We'd better leave as soon as possible, we?We'd better leave as soon as possible, we?

10.

The government should something about the problem.The government should something about the problem.

11.

It's time the government something about the problem.It's time the government something about the problem.

12.

It's time something done about the problem.It's time something done about the problem.

Answers:Réponses : 1. take · 2. had · 3. not · 4. should · 5. to · 6. I'd · 7. were · 8. do · 9. hadn't · 10. do · 11. did · 12. was

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Exercise 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Exercice 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Read the situation and write a sentence with It's time …

Lisez la situation et écrivez une phrase avec It's time …

You're at a friend's house. It's 11 now — you planned to go home at 11. (I / go home)

Vous êtes chez un ami. Il est 23h. (I / go home)

→ →

You haven't had a holiday for a very long time. (I / had a holiday)

Vous n'avez pas pris de vacances depuis très longtemps. (I / had a holiday)

→ →

It's 10 pm. The children should be in bed. (the children / were in bed)

Il est 22h. (the children / were in bed)

→ →

You didn't realise it was so late — need to start cooking. (we / started cooking)

Vous n'avez pas réalisé qu'il était si tard. (we / started cooking)

→ dinner. → dinner.

Kate always complains about everything. You think she should stop. (she / stopped complaining)

Kate se plaint toujours de tout. (she / stopped complaining)

→ about everything. → about everything.

The company has been badly managed. You think changes should be made. (changes / were made)

La société est mal gérée depuis longtemps. (changes / were made)

→ in the way the company is run. → in the way the company is run.

Answers:Réponses :
1. It's time I went home. · 2. It's time I had a holiday. · 3. It's time the children were in bed. · 4. It's time we started cooking dinner. · 5. It's time she stopped complaining about everything. · 6. It's time changes were made in the way the company is run.

Frequently Asked Questions — I'd Better & It's Time

Questions fréquentes — I'd Better & It's Time

What does 'd stand for in I'd better?Que signifie 'd dans I'd better ?

I'd = I had (NOT I would). So I'd better = I had better. Question tag: I'd better phone Chris, hadn't I?

I'd = I had (PAS I would). Tag question : I'd better phone Chris, hadn't I?

What is the key difference between had better and should?Quelle est la différence clé entre had better et should ?

Had better = specific situations only — implies a problem/danger if not followed. Should = general or specific — simply means "it's a good thing to do" without necessarily implying danger.

Had better = situations spécifiques — implique un problème. Should = général ou spécifique — simplement une bonne chose à faire.

Can I say "I'd better to go"?Peut-on dire "I'd better to go" ?

No. Had better + base verb (no to). ✓ I'd better go. ✗ I'd better to go.

Non. Had better + verbe de base (sans to). ✓ I'd better go. ✗ I'd better to go.

Why do we use a past tense after "it's time"?Pourquoi utilise-t-on le passé après "it's time" ?

The past form after it's time + subject has a present meaning — similar to the subjunctive. Compare: It's time to go (neutral) vs It's time we went (critical/impatient).

La forme passée après it's time + sujet a un sens présent — similaire au subjonctif.

What is the difference between "it's time" and "it's about time"?Quelle est la différence entre "it's time" et "it's about time" ?

It's time = something should happen now. It's about time = stronger — impatience/frustration, should have happened long ago.

It's time = devrait se passer maintenant. It's about time = plus fort — impatience, aurait dû se passer il y a longtemps.

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

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ExplanationsExplications

All topics Had Better Had Better Not Had Better vs Should It's Time Mixed

I'd Better & It's Time Quiz

Quiz — I'd Better & It's Time

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out ofsur 20 questionsquestions

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I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Past — Complete Guide I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Passé — Guide Complet

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Urgent Advice

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Conseil urgent

Had Better vs Should — Key Differences

Had Better vs Should — Différences clés

Had Better — specific + urgent

Had Better — spécifique + urgent

Should — general or specific

Should — général ou spécifique

It's Time + Past Simple — Criticism & Complaint

It's Time + Passé Simple — Critique et plainte

I'd Better & It's Time — Exercises with Answers

I'd Better & It's Time — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Write sentences with 'd better or 'd better not

Exercice 1 — Écrivez des phrases avec 'd better ou 'd better not

Exercise 2 — Is had better OK? Change to should where necessary

Exercice 2 — Had better est-il correct ? Changez en should si nécessaire

Exercise 3 — Complete the sentences. Choose from the box

Exercice 3 — Complétez les phrases. Choisissez dans l'encadré

Exercise 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Exercice 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Frequently Asked Questions — I'd Better & It's Time

Questions fréquentes — I'd Better & It's Time

I'd Better & It's Time — Quiz

I'd Better & It's Time — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

I'd Better & It's Time Quiz

Quiz — I'd Better & It's Time

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Evènements

I'd Better … & It's Time …Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Past — Complete Guide I'd Better … & It's Time …Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Passé — Guide Complet

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Urgent Advice

Had Better (I'd better / you'd better) — Conseil urgent

Had Better vs Should — Key Differences

Had Better vs Should — Différences clés

Had Better — specific + urgent

Had Better — spécifique + urgent

Should — general or specific

Should — général ou spécifique

It's Time + Past Simple — Criticism & Complaint

It's Time + Passé Simple — Critique et plainte

I'd Better & It's Time — Exercises with Answers

I'd Better & It's Time — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Write sentences with 'd better or 'd better not

Exercice 1 — Écrivez des phrases avec 'd better ou 'd better not

Exercise 2 — Is had better OK? Change to should where necessary

Exercice 2 — Had better est-il correct ? Changez en should si nécessaire

Exercise 3 — Complete the sentences. Choose from the box

Exercice 3 — Complétez les phrases. Choisissez dans l'encadré

Exercise 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Exercice 4 — It's time (somebody did something)

Frequently Asked Questions — I'd Better & It's Time

Questions fréquentes — I'd Better & It's Time

I'd Better & It's Time — Quiz

I'd Better & It's Time — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

I'd Better & It's Time Quiz

Quiz — I'd Better & It's Time

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I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Past — Complete Guide I'd Better … & It's Time …
Had Better · Should vs Had Better · It's Time + Passé — Guide Complet