Strong Advice: had better / if I were you (B1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

You better leave now or you'll miss the last train.

Correct answer: had

"Had better" is the strong-advice form implying a negative consequence if ignored. The contraction is "you'd better" — the full form is "you had better".

If I you, I would apologise immediately.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the subjunctive form used with "if I were you". "Was" is non-standard in formal English here; "am" is grammatically impossible.

You had better stay out too late — your parents will worry.

Correct answer: not

"Not" forms the negative of "had better": "had better not + base verb". "Don't" cannot follow "had better".

You better call the doctor if the pain gets worse.

Correct answer: 'd

The contraction "'d" stands for "had" in "had better". Writing "you'd better" is the spoken/informal form of "you had better".

If I were you, I take that job offer — it sounds perfect.

Correct answer: would

"Would" completes the second conditional structure: "If I were you, I would + base verb". "Will" breaks the hypothetical mood; "should" is less natural with "if I were you".

It's to back up your files regularly in case your laptop crashes.

Correct answer: advisable

"Advisable" is the adjective used in the formal structure "It is advisable to + base verb". It is not the same as "advised" (past participle) in this pattern.

She better not miss the deadline, or the client will cancel the contract.

Correct answer: had

"Had better" does not change for third person — it remains "she had better". Adding "-s" or using "has better" is a common error.

If I in your position, I would save more money each month.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the correct subjunctive for all persons in "if I/he/she/we were". "Was" is colloquially heard but "were" is the standard form taught at B1.

The queue is getting longer — you better buy your ticket online before you arrive.

Correct answer: 'd

The contraction "'d" (= "had") is the expected form in natural speech. "You had better" and "you'd better" are interchangeable; the gap here takes either "'d" or "had".

It's to drink alcohol before driving.

Correct answer: not advisable

"Not advisable" = the negative advisory form. "Inadvisable" also works and means the same thing. Both are accepted.

The weather is getting bad. We better head back before the storm arrives.

Correct answer: had

"We had better" applies equally to "we" — "had better" is invariable across all subjects (I/you/he/she/we/they).

If I were you, I not tell him the truth yet — he's not ready to hear it.

Correct answer: would

"Would not" (or "wouldn't") is needed after "If I were you, I would not". Using "will not" breaks the hypothetical second-conditional frame.

It is strongly that travellers check visa requirements before booking flights.

Correct answer: advisable

"Advisable" (adjective) fits "It is strongly advisable that…". "Advised" (past participle) would need a different structure: "Travellers are strongly advised to…".

They had better arrive late, or the manager will be furious.

Correct answer: not

"Not" is required after "had better" to form the negative — "had better not arrive". "Don't" cannot follow "had better".

If I you, I would speak to a financial advisor before investing that much money.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the subjunctive form for all persons. In everyday speech "was" is heard, but at B1 level "were" is the expected standard form.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

You better leave now or you'll miss the last train.

Correct answer: had

"Had better" is the strong-advice form implying a negative consequence if ignored. The contraction is "you'd better" — the full form is "you had better".

If I you, I would apologise immediately.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the subjunctive form used with "if I were you". "Was" is non-standard in formal English here; "am" is grammatically impossible.

You had better stay out too late — your parents will worry.

Correct answer: not

"Not" forms the negative of "had better": "had better not + base verb". "Don't" cannot follow "had better".

You better call the doctor if the pain gets worse.

Correct answer: 'd

The contraction "'d" stands for "had" in "had better". Writing "you'd better" is the spoken/informal form of "you had better".

If I were you, I take that job offer — it sounds perfect.

Correct answer: would

"Would" completes the second conditional structure: "If I were you, I would + base verb". "Will" breaks the hypothetical mood; "should" is less natural with "if I were you".

It's to back up your files regularly in case your laptop crashes.

Correct answer: advisable

"Advisable" is the adjective used in the formal structure "It is advisable to + base verb". It is not the same as "advised" (past participle) in this pattern.

She better not miss the deadline, or the client will cancel the contract.

Correct answer: had

"Had better" does not change for third person — it remains "she had better". Adding "-s" or using "has better" is a common error.

If I in your position, I would save more money each month.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the correct subjunctive for all persons in "if I/he/she/we were". "Was" is colloquially heard but "were" is the standard form taught at B1.

The queue is getting longer — you better buy your ticket online before you arrive.

Correct answer: 'd

The contraction "'d" (= "had") is the expected form in natural speech. "You had better" and "you'd better" are interchangeable; the gap here takes either "'d" or "had".

It's to drink alcohol before driving.

Correct answer: not advisable

"Not advisable" = the negative advisory form. "Inadvisable" also works and means the same thing. Both are accepted.

The weather is getting bad. We better head back before the storm arrives.

Correct answer: had

"We had better" applies equally to "we" — "had better" is invariable across all subjects (I/you/he/she/we/they).

If I were you, I not tell him the truth yet — he's not ready to hear it.

Correct answer: would

"Would not" (or "wouldn't") is needed after "If I were you, I would not". Using "will not" breaks the hypothetical second-conditional frame.

It is strongly that travellers check visa requirements before booking flights.

Correct answer: advisable

"Advisable" (adjective) fits "It is strongly advisable that…". "Advised" (past participle) would need a different structure: "Travellers are strongly advised to…".

They had better arrive late, or the manager will be furious.

Correct answer: not

"Not" is required after "had better" to form the negative — "had better not arrive". "Don't" cannot follow "had better".

If I you, I would speak to a financial advisor before investing that much money.

Correct answer: were

"Were" is the subjunctive form for all persons. In everyday speech "was" is heard, but at B1 level "were" is the expected standard form.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.