Had better: give strong advice

The problem: I know should, but I need language for advice that sounds more urgent.

Had better tells someone what is wise to do when a bad result seems possible. The result does not need to be spoken, because the situation often makes it clear. Use the expression for a warning, a time-sensitive choice, or advice with real consequences.

You'd better save your work before the battery runs out.

The advice is strong because losing the work is a likely problem if the person waits.

Which expression fits a warning about an approaching storm: should or had better?

Had better can fit when the speaker wants to stress the risk. For example: We'd better go inside soon.

The problem: I add to or change the next verb because the expression begins with had.

Had better is followed directly by the base form of a verb. Say had better leave, had better call, and had better wait. Do not say had better to leave, and do not add an ending such as leaves after better.

Mina had better ask for directions before it gets dark.

Ask is the base form after better, even though Mina is one person.

Choose the correct form: He had better to call or He had better call?

Use He had better call. Call is the base verb after better.

The problem: I hear you'd better, but I cannot connect it to had better.

In everyday speech, had usually becomes 'd in this expression. You may hear I'd better, you'd better, he'd better, she'd better, we'd better, or they'd better. The full form is also correct, but contractions are more common in ordinary conversation.

We'd better tell Maya that the meeting moved online.

We'd is short for we had here. It does not mean we would in this expression.

What is the full form of she'd better take a coat?

It is she had better take a coat. The advice is about what she should do now or later.

The problem: I put not before better or use don't better when I advise against an action.

For negative advice, use had better not plus a base verb. The word not comes after better: You had better not wait. This pattern warns that doing the action may lead to a problem. It does not need do or does.

You'd better not share that code with anyone.

The warning is about sharing the code, so not comes before the base verb share.

Complete the warning: You'd better ____ park here after six.

Use not. You'd better not park here after six warns against parking in that place.

The problem: Both expressions give advice, so I do not know when had better is the better choice.

Should is useful for ordinary recommendations. Had better is stronger and often carries an implied warning. Choose should when you offer a helpful opinion. Choose had better when you think delay or a wrong choice may cause an immediate problem.

You should try the new study room sometime.

This is a relaxed recommendation, so should is natural.

You'd better move your bike before the gate closes.

The closing gate creates a reason to act soon, so had better is more natural.

The problem: I see had and assume that the advice is about the past.

Had better has a fixed form. Its had does not normally change to have better, and it does not make the advice past. You'd better leave now and You had better leave tomorrow both point to a present or future action. Use a different structure when you need to talk about past advice.

I'd better send the form before midnight.

Before midnight shows that the advice concerns a future deadline.

Does had better in We'd better leave now describe a past action?

No. It gives strong advice about leaving now or very soon.