Meaning
When you want to give advice or tell someone what to do you can use "You’d better". I’ve heard a lot of people pronounce it as "you better" but when written it is "you’d better" or "you had better".
Today's Sentences
- You’d better wear a hat.
- You’d better pack lightly.
- You’d better bring a pair of sunglasses.
- You’d better buy some bread for dinner.
- You’d better bring some good headphones.
- Writer's Note
01
You’d better wear a hat.
Situation 1
They say it’s going to be really sunny today.
Really?
Sounds like it’s going to be a beautiful day.
You’d better wear a hat.
I’ll wear my new sun hat.
Situation 2
The sun is scorching hot today.
The best thing to do in this kind of weather is cover up.
I agree.
You’d better wear a hat.
I’m going to pack some extra sunscreen and UV umbrellas too.
02
You’d better pack lightly.
Situation 1
It’s cold here but it’s really warm where we’re going.
Really?
What should I take then?
You’d better pack lightly.
Good idea.
Situation 2
You’re not taking all these clothes, are you?
Is it too much?
You’d better pack lightly.
It’s only a 10 day trip.
Maybe I’ll just pack the essentials then.
03
You’d better bring a pair of sunglasses.
Situation 1
You’d better bring a pair of sunglasses.
That’s a good idea.
How about these ones?
Those are perfect!
Situation 2
Can you check over the things I packed?
Everything looks great.
But you’d better bring a pair of sunglasses.
Got it.
Sometimes you can never find a good pair when you need one while on vacation.
04
You’d better buy some bread for dinner.
Situation 1
Do you need anything from the store?
Actually, you’d better buy some bread for dinner.
Ok sure.
What kind of bread do you need?
Dinner rolls would be great if they have any.
Situation 2
I’m going to stop by the market, do you need anything?
You’d better buy some bread for dinner.
We’re having soup.
How about baguettes?
Baguettes are perfect.
You might wanna pick up a few loaves.
05
You’d better bring some good headphones.
Situation 1
I think I’ve packed everything I need.
You’d better bring some good headphones.
Why?
Because those earbuds they give you on the plane are horrible.
Situation 2
I don’t know what to pack for my business trip.
Well, a few professional outfits and one casual.
And shoes to match.
Sounds good.
I like watching a movie or listening to music when I’m winding down.
You’d better bring some good headphones then.
Writer's Note
"Should" is a modal verb that we use to give advice but it could also mean that you expect something to happen in the future.
Here are a few examples:
- You should try to sleep earlier.
- He should eat healthier.
- We should go camping.
The past tense of "should" is "should have" + past participle.
"Had better" is quite similar, but has an urgent tone that may cause feelings of threat or intimidation.
Here are a few examples:
- You’d better sleep earlier or you’ll age faster.
- He’d better eat healthier before he gets cancer.
- We’d better go camping since it will be the last warm weekend before winter.
