Would Rather & Had Better

Theory Explanation (A2+ level)

Let’s talk about two very useful expressions in English:

 

 

1. Would rather = θα προτιμούσα

We use it to talk about what we prefer.

Structure:
Subject + would rather + base form (without “to”)

 

Examples:

• I would rather stay home than go out.
• He would rather not eat meat.
• Would you rather watch a movie or read a book?

 

2. Had better = θα ήταν καλύτερα

We use it to give strong advice or a warning.

Structure:
Subject + had better + base form (without “to”)

 

 

Examples:

• You had better study for your test.
• We had better not be late.

 

Now, let’s practise with 4 different types of exercises:

 

Exercise 1: Choose the correct option

(Choose between “would rather” and “had better”)

1. You look tired. You ___ go to bed early.
2. I ___ eat pizza than sushi.
3. We ___ not miss the bus.
4. She ___ drink tea than coffee.
5. They ___ see a doctor – he’s coughing a lot.
6. I ___ stay in tonight.
7. You ___ not tell him the secret.
8. ___ you have water or juice?
9. He ___ not take that road. It’s dangerous.
10. We ___ leave now if we want to catch the train.

 

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks using the correct form of “would rather” or “had better”

 

1. I ____________ stay home tonight.
2. You ____________ take an umbrella. It might rain.
3. We ____________ not talk about that now.
4. She ____________ have a dog than a cat.
5. He ____________ go shopping tomorrow.
6. They ____________ not forget their homework.
7. ____________ you walk or take the bus?
8. I ____________ not eat anything spicy.
9. You ____________ call her now – she’s waiting.
10. We ____________ start preparing dinner.

 

Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes

 

1. I would rather to stay home tonight.
2. You had better to call your mother.
3. She would rather goes to the cinema.
4. They had better to not be late.
5. Would you rather to eat now or later?
6. He had better not to go outside.
7. I would rather to not talk.
8. We had better studying for the test.
9. She would rather be alone than being with them.
10. Had better you take your medicine?

Exercise 4: Write your own sentences

 

(Use the prompts to make full sentences using “would rather” or “had better”)

1. (you / eat / vegetables)
2. (I / not / go / out tonight)
3. (we / leave / now)
4. (she / stay home / go to school)
5. (they / finish / their project)
6. (he / not / talk to her)
7. (you / call / the doctor)
8. (we / have pizza / pasta)
9. (I / sleep / watch TV)
10. (you / not / be late)

 

 

 Would Rather & Questions 1–10

 

1. I ___ stay home tonight.
   A. had better to
   B. would rather
   C. would better
2. You ___ call your teacher now.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would rather to
3. He ___ not eat so much sugar.
   A. would better
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
4. Would you ___ go out or stay in?
   A. rather
   B. rather to
   C. had better
5. They ___ not be late for the test.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. had rather
6. She ___ walk than take the bus.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would better
7. We ___ leave before 9.
   A. would rather to
   B. had better
   C. would prefer
8. I ___ not talk about it now.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would rather to
9. You ___ take your umbrella – it’s going to rain.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. should rather
10. He ___ go to the cinema than stay home.
    A. would rather
    B. had better
    C. should

 

Questions 11–20

 

1. She ___ not watch that movie. It’s too scary.
   A. had better
   B. would rather to
   C. had rather
2. We ___ eat outside than in the noisy restaurant.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would better
3. You ___ finish your project before tomorrow.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. rather
4. ___ you have coffee or tea?
   A. Had
   B. Would
   C. Should
5. I ___ not go to school today – I feel sick.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
6. They ___ go now or they’ll miss the train.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. must rather
7. He ___ listen carefully in class.
   A. would rather to
   B. had better
   C. would rather
8. We ___ not forget our tickets!
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. had rather
9. She ___ go to the beach than the mountains.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
10. I ___ study now than tomorrow morning.
    A. had better
    B. would rather
    C. should

 

Questions 21–30

 

1. You ___ not shout at your sister.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. rather
2. He ___ not drive in this rain.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would prefer
3. We ___ be careful with that glass!
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. better had
4. I ___ watch a comedy than a horror movie.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would prefer to
5. They ___ go to bed early – it’s a big day tomorrow.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
6. She ___ read a book than play games.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
7. We ___ not forget to bring water.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. should better
8. He ___ play basketball than football.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would prefer
9. You ___ see the doctor soon.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. had rather
10. I ___ have lunch now than later.
    A. had better
    B. would rather
    C. rather

 

Questions 31–40

 

1. ___ you play tennis or volleyball?
   A. Had better
   B. Would rather
   C. Would
2. She ___ take the train – it’s faster.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. better had
3. They ___ not forget to call Grandma.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
4. He ___ not stay out too late.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. had rather
5. I ___ go home than stay at the party.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would prefer
6. You ___ be careful – the road is icy.
   A. had better
   B. would rather
   C. would better
7. We ___ not be late for the show.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would
8. She ___ sleep early tonight.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. had rather
9. He ___ go alone than with his brother.
   A. would rather
   B. had better
   C. would rather to
10. You ___ listen to me this time.
    A. had better
    B. would rather
    C. had

 

 

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