Fill in the blanks with rather or better. This grammar exercise tests your ability to use would rather and had better correctly.
1You'd ............... turn that music down before Dad gets angry.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "you'd" to give strong advice before something bad happens.
2I'd ............... go by train; it is cheaper than going by car.
Wrong!
Use "rather" after "I'd" to express a preference.
3It is 8 o'clock. I'd ............... put the kids to bed.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "I'd" when the speaker thinks something should be done now.
4You'd ............... mend your ways. If you don't, there will be trouble.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "you'd" for a warning or strong advice.
5"Can I read your letters?" "You'd ............... not."
Wrong!
Use "better" in "You'd better not" to give a strong negative warning or refusal.
6"Can I come tomorrow?" "I'd ............... you didn't."
Wrong!
Use "rather" in "I'd rather you didn't" to say what you prefer another person not to do.
7You'd ............... not call him names.
Wrong!
Use "better" in "You'd better not" to tell someone strongly not to do something.
8I'd ............... you didn't talk to her again.
Wrong!
Use "rather" in "I'd rather you didn't" to express a preference about another person's action.
9You'd ............... get your vaccinations if you are going abroad.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "you'd" to give practical advice about what someone should do.
10She'd ............... be on time, or else there will be trouble.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "she'd" for a strong expectation with a possible consequence.
11I'd ............... you helped me with the housework.
Wrong!
Use "rather" after "I'd" when you prefer another person to do something.
12You'd ............... pay me back.
Wrong!
Use "better" after "you'd" to give strong advice or a warning.
Answers
- You’d better turn that music down before Dad gets angry.
- I’d rather go by train; it is cheaper than going by car.
- It is 8 o’clock. I’d better put the kids to bed.
- You’d better mend your ways. If you don’t, there will be trouble.
- “Can I read your letters?” “You’d better not.”
- “Can I come tomorrow?” “I’d rather you didn’t.”
- You’d better not call him names.
- I’d rather you didn’t talk to her again.
- You’d better get your vaccinations if you are going abroad.
- She’d better be on time, or else there will be trouble.
- I’d rather you helped me with the housework.
- You’d better pay me back.