Meaning
「I think we'd better」は、ある状況に対して「私たちは〜した方が良いと思う」という提案や助言を表す表現です。このフレーズは、話し手が何かをした方が良いと考えている場合に使われます。例えば、天気が悪くなりそうなときに「I think we'd better take an umbrella.（傘を持って行った方が良いと思う）」と言うことで、相手に何か行動を促すことができます。
この表現は、話し手が自分の意見を述べる際に、相手への配慮を示しつつ提案をするために使われます。そして、相手に対して強制的な印象を与えずに、柔らかく意見を伝えることができます。
「I think we'd better」の使い方は、状況を改善するための具体的な行動を提案する場合に非常に便利です。たとえば、会議が長引いているときに「I think we'd better wrap things up soon.（そろそろ終わりにした方が良いと思います）」といった使い方ができます。
このように、「I think we'd better」は日常会話で頻繁に使われる表現であり、相手に対する配慮を込めて何かを提案したいときに非常に役立ちます。
Today's Sentences
- I think we’d better wait.
- I think we’d better try harder.
- I think we’d better give up.
- I think we’d better change the subject.
- I think we’d better eat more vegetables.
- Writer's Note
01
I think we’d better wait.
Situation 1
The cake shop is busy today.
I think we’d better wait, there’s a line in front.
I’ve never seen it this busy.
Business seems good.
Situation 2
How long did they say it would take?
For battery replacements they say 30 minutes.
I think we’d better wait.
Yes, let’s wait and then go for lunch after.
02
I think we’d better try harder.
Situation 1
You’ve been late to practice every day this week.
Sorry coach.
Punctuality is just as important as discipline and respect.
I think we’d better try harder.
もっと努力した方がいいと思います。
I'll try to be at practice on time.
Situation 2
Our IVF cycle failed this time.
It’s ok.
Let’s try another round.
もう一度やってみましょう。
I think we’d better try harder.
Having a baby is important but I think we should practice self-care too.
03
I think we’d better give up.
Situation 1
It’s here somewhere!
We’ve been looking for your keys everywhere.
It’s here, I know it.
I think we’d better give up.
Situation 2
I can’t find it anywhere, I’ve been looking for the past hour.
I can’t believe you lost our wedding ring.
It’s here, don’t worry.
I think we’d better give up.
04
I think we’d better change the subject.
Situation 1
I can’t believe you just said that.
I didn’t mean it that way.
I think we’d better change the subject, I’m getting annoyed.
Let’s talk about something else then.
Situation 2
Can I borrow some money?
I think we’d better change the subject.
Why?
I don’t lend money to my close friends.
It gets messy.
それは面倒なことになります。
05
I think we’d better eat more vegetables.
Situation 1
Did you get your lab results back?
Yes, I’ve got high cholesterol levels.
I think we’d better eat more vegetables.
Diet and exercise is the answer I guess.
Situation 2
I keep getting a cold.
I think we’d better eat more vegetables.
I think that’s a good idea.
More fruits, veggies, and some exercise.
Writer's Note
Other uses:
"had better" + infinitive without "to" for giving advice.
- You'd better tell her the truth.
- He'd better be on time for our date.
- I'd better get back to my homework.
"had better not" for negative form.
- You'd better not lie next time.
- He'd better not spend all that money.
- I'd better not make empty promises.
You're doing great! All this work will pay off in the future. Cheers🍻!
