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Course: French English Spanish Greek
Explanations in: Greek English Spanish French
B2

Had better, would rather, it's time

You'd better go, I'd rather stay, it's time we left: structures with unexpected tenses.

StructureMeaningExample
had better + basestrong advice (or there'll be a problem)You'd better hurry.
would rather + baseprefer (same subject)I'd rather stay home.
would rather + subject + past simpleprefer someone else to do somethingI'd rather you stayed.
it's (high) time + subject + past simpleit should happen now (it's late already)It's time we left.
it's time + to + basethe moment has comeIt's time to go.

Test yourself

  1. Give strong advice: leave now.
    Show answer
    You'd better leave.
  2. Complete: I'd rather you (not / smoke).
    Show answer
    didn't smoke
  3. Complete: It's time you (go) to bed.
    Show answer
    went
  4. Make negative: You'd better tell him.
    Show answer
    You'd better not tell him.