what is the meaning of " You Better be?"
Presumably, that should correctly be
You’d better be
(You had better be).
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Nasim Borno:
May I very respectfully suggest that you NOT use “had better” in your speech until you understand English very well?
Sometimes “had better” can be very strong. It can even lead to physical fights.
For example, if you open a door and there is a man standing in front of the door, you might say, “Excuse me, sir. May I pass?”
Do NOT say:" You had better move!" He might reply: “If I do not move, what are you going to do?”
If someone in the theater is talking during the movie, and you want to tell her to stop talking, you might say, “Excuse me, but I cannot hear the movie.” Do NOT say, “You had better be quiet.”
She might reply, “Make me!”
After you learn more English, you will understand when it is safe to use “had better” and when it is dangerous to do so.
James
Thank you very much all of you
Hi Respected James M!
That was an EXCELLENT explanation! This is USEFUL especially for foreign learners of English.
I'm wondering why you used [b]someone[/b] .... [b]her[/b] .... . [b]She[/b]...
So… “had better” is alike with “should”?
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Foreigner:
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Until the 1960’s, English speakers always used “he,” “him,” and “her” to refer to both genders.
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Then in the 1960’s, the world changed. All groups of people were demanding equality.
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Many (most?) women became offended if you said, “Everyone should bring HIS book tomorrow.” They said, "We are not a ‘his.’ "
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So since then, we say: “Everyone should bring his or her book” or “Everyone should bring THEIR book.” Of course, many learners (and a few elderly native speakers like me) think that it is crazy to match “everyone” and “their,” but the majority rule(s).
I did what some American writers do to in order to make everyone happy. In my first example, I was thinking of a male, so I used male pronouns.
Then, in my second example, I was thinking of a female, so I used female pronouns.
In fact, some American writers will even use female pronouns throughout their whole article. Their reasoning: Hey, we used to use male pronouns throughout an entire article, so why not use female articles throughout an entire article?
As a learner, you must be very confused. I guess that the best advice that I can give you is to hold your nose (as we Americans say) and use “their” when referring to someone in general: Everyone should bring THEIR book tomorrow. Of course, sometimes you can avoid this problem by using the plural: Students should bring their books tomorrow.
Please remember that people (both male and female) nowadays are offended if you follow the old-fashioned rule of using the male pronoun to refer to both males and females. So do NOT do it. When I post here or elsewhere, I always try to remember to say “his or her.” I simply refuse to use “THEIR.”
James
P.S. In the 1960’s, a FEW women were even angry about the word “HIStory.”
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Fouryz:
I think that Mr. Michael Swan in his beloved PRACTICAL ENGLISH USAGE answers your excellent question:
“Had better” refers to the immediate future. It is more urgent than “should” or “ought.”
Mr. Swan then gives this example (in his 1995 edition):
[Speaker 1]: I really ought to go and see Fred one of these days. [My note: or “I really should go and see / go see Fred one of these days.”]
[Speaker 2]: Well, you’d better do it soon – he’s leaving for South Africa at the end of the month."
Above all, please remember Mr.Swan’s advice:
“Had better” may suggest a threat. It is not used in polite requests.
James