Grammar﹕had better
【明報專訊】Poor Bill! Someone has messed with his bicycle! He's found a suspect and is interrogating him.
Bill: Eason! What were you doing after 10 o'clock last night?
Eason: 10 o'clock? I was taking a shower at home after watching the drama about vampires! It was an exciting episode!
Bill: What? You were lying! You had better tell the truth! The vampire drama was over last week! Weren't you doodling on my bike?
Eason: I... I was watching the recording. You had better not blame me without any evidence!
Bill: I remember there was a CCTV camera nearby. But if you are honest about it, I can forgive you.
Eason: No, I didn't!
Bill: I'd better check the CCTV footage myself. Let's wait and see!
■English highway﹕
We use the structure "had better (not) + infinitive" to give strong advice, or to tell people what to do. In spoken form, the short form "-'d" is more commonly used.e.g. I'd better leave early, or I will miss the train.
■Now you try
(Answers on next text)
Form sentences with the words below and "had better (not)".
1. I/ tell/ mom/ about my test results
__________________________________________
2. You/ your coat/ take off/ because/ it/ cold/ outside/ is
__________________________________________
3. is/ You/ later/ because/ John/ not home/ now/ call again/
__________________________________________
■Glossary
suspect (n) 疑犯
interrogate (v) 質問
episode (n) (連續劇)一集
doodle (v) 塗鴉
[Smarties' Power English 第206期]
