Would rather and Had better

1. WOULD RATHER

2. We use would
rather to talk
about preferring
one thing to
another.

3. Affirmative
I would rather stay at home than go out tonight.
I’d rather stay at home than go out tonight. (Short form ’d rather)
She would rather go to Italy. ( than to France)
Negative
I would rather not stay at home than go out tonight.
I’d rather not go out tonight.
She would rather not travel by bus.
Interrogative
Would you rather drink coffee or tea?
Would she rather study German or Italian?
STRUCTURE : would rather + base form

4. HAD BETTER

5. We use had better to talk
about actions we think people
should do or which are
desirable in a specific
situation.
Had better is a strong expression. We use it if
we think there will be negative results if
someone does not do what is desired or
suggested.

6. Affirmative
It’s five o’clock. I had better go now before the traffic gets too bad.
It’s five o’clock. I’d better go now before the traffic gets too bad.
(Short form ’d better)
She’d better get here soon or she’ll miss the opening ceremony.
Negative I’d better not leave my bag there. Someone might steal it.
You’d better not tell Elizabeth about the broken glass – she’ll go
crazy!
Interrogative Had I better speak to Joan first before I send this form off? What do
you think?
Had we better leave a note for the delivery guy to take the parcel
next door?
STRUCTURE :had better + base form

7. Taken and adapted from:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/britis
h-grammar/would-rather-would-sooner
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/britis
h-grammar/had-better
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