Speak English Around Town » LESSON 22 - Making Excuses
Mary: Erica, I hate to back out at the eleventh hour, but Jake and I aren't going to be able to make it to your dinner party tomorrow night.
Erica: What a shame! Did something come up?
Mary: Yes, we have to go to a party at Jake's boss's house. Jake had told me about it a couple of weeks ago, but it slipped my mind.
Erica: You're going to be missing out on a great meal. I'm making duck with olives and couscous. I already bought the duck.
Mary: You better freeze some of it! I feel awful. You must think I'm the biggest flake!
Erica: Don't sweat it. These things happen.
Mary: Let me make it up to you. I'd like you and Alex to come to dinner at our place next Saturday.
Erica: Okay, that sounds good ... oh, I just remembered. Alex's parents are visiting for the weekend.
Mary: Bring them along too. The more the merrier!
Erica: I'd better check with Alex. I'll call you later today to confirm.
Erica: Bad news. Jake and Mary can't (1) __________ tomorrow night.
Alex: (2) __________ ! I was really looking forward to having them at the (3) __________ .
Erica: I know, but what can we do? (4) __________ .
Alex: Why can't they make it? (5) __________ ?
Erica: Yes. It turns out they have a dinner at Jake's boss's house tomorrow night.
Alex: I can't believe they're canceling (6) __________ . Didn't she know about the other dinner before?
Erica: Yes, Jake had told her about it, but it (7) __________ .
Alex: What a (8) __________ !
Erica: She was very apologetic. She wants to (9) __________ by having us over next week.
Alex: My parents are going to be here, remember?
Erica: Mary said we should bring them too." (10) __________ ," she said.
Use "had better" to offer advice or suggestions or to say what one should do in a certain situation - in other words, what the sensible or smart thing to do would be. To say what one should not do, use "had better not."
The contractions (you'd better leave I I'd better leave) are much more common than the full forms (you had better leave / I had better leave).
Examples:
◼ You'd better finish your homework before going out tonight.
◼ You'd better not drive if it's snowing heavily.
◼ You'd better not ask your father for any more money.
◼ We'd better check the weather before we leave on our ski trip.
◼ I'd better call my wife so she knows I'll be home late.
◼ I'd better let you move the couch. I don't want to hurt my back.
◼ I'm on a diet. I'd better not have another cookie.
◼ It's already midnight? I'd better go to bed!
When speaking, people often leave out the word "had" (or the 'd):
Examples:
◼ You better tum down that music!
◼ You better go to sleep now.
◼ You better start paying attention in class.
◼ We better buy your plane tickets today.
Example:
You a gym and start exercising! Goin)
Answer: You'd better join a gym and start exercising!
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