Had better and would rather (had better y would rather)

• Had better (más vale que / será mejor que)
• Would rather (preferir)
  • Would rather + past simple (for preferences about other people)

Had better (más vale que / será mejor que)

Had better (often contracted to 'd better) is used for strong advice or warnings. It is followed by the infinitive without to:

🔹 Had better (a menudo contraído como 'd better) se usa para consejos fuertes o advertencias. Va seguido del infinitivo sin to:

You'd better hurry or you'll be late. (Será mejor que te des prisa o llegarás tarde).

She'd better study for the exam. (Más vale que estudie para el examen).

We'd better not tell anyone. (Será mejor que no se lo digamos a nadie).

Had better is stronger than should. It implies there will be a negative consequence if you don't follow the advice.

🔹 Had better es más fuerte que should. Implica que habrá una consecuencia negativa si no sigues el consejo.

Would rather (preferir)

Would rather (often contracted to 'd rather) means prefer. It is also followed by the infinitive without to:

🔹 Would rather (a menudo contraído como 'd rather) significa preferir. También va seguido del infinitivo sin to:

I'd rather stay home tonight. (Prefiero quedarme en casa esta noche).

She'd rather not go. (Ella preferiría no ir).

Would you rather eat at home or go to a restaurant? (¿Preferirías comer en casa o ir a un restaurante?)

Would rather + past simple (for preferences about other people)

When we use would rather with a different subject, we use the past simple (even though we're talking about the present or future):

🔹 Cuando usamos would rather con un sujeto diferente, usamos el past simple (aunque hablemos del presente o futuro):

I'd rather you didn't smoke here. (Preferiría que no fumaras aquí).

She'd rather he came tomorrow. (Ella preferiría que él viniera mañana).