Metkagram
EN RU

B2–C1 · GFB · GFB019

Subject + had better not + bare infinitive

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Modal scope and past inference”. Compare how English and German express modal scope and past inference. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + had better not + bare infinitive
DE · GermanSubject + sollte(n) + lieber nicht + infinitive

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Тебе лучше не откладывать это до пятницы.

EN · English

You had better not leave this until Friday.

DE · German

Du solltest das lieber nicht bis Freitag aufschieben.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Нам лучше не упоминать сюрприз.

    EN · English

    We had better not mention the surprise.

    DE · German

    Wir sollten die Überraschung lieber nicht erwähnen.

  2. RU · Translation

    Ему лучше не терять этот ключ.

    EN · English

    He had better not lose that key.

    DE · German

    Er sollte diesen Schlüssel lieber nicht verlieren.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFB001Subject + need not have + past participleGFBGFB016Subject + may not have + past participleGFBGFB017Subject + would not + infinitive + past contextGFBGFB018Subject + should know better than to + infinitiveGFB