Had better do, It's time someone did

UNIT 62   Had better do something, It's time someone did something

A.   Had better do something.The meaning of had better (I'd better) is similar to should. "I'd better do something should do something or it is advisable for me to do something, if I don't do this, something bad might happen:

• I have to meet Tom in ten minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late.

• "Should I take an umbrella?" Yes, you'd better. It might rain

• We've almost run out of gas. We'd better stop at the next gas station to fill up

The negative form is had better not ('d better not):

• You don't look very well. You'd better not go to work today.

• "Are you going out tonight?''  ''I'd better not, I've got a lot of work to do''

The form is always "had better" (usually 'd better in spoken English). We say had but the
meaning is present or future, not past

I'd better go to the bank this afternoon.

Remember that had better is followed by the base form (not to . . . )

• It might rain. We'd better take an umbrella. (not better to take)                       

B.   It's time . . . 
You can say "it's time (for to someone) to do something'':

• It's time to go home.

• It's time for us to go home.

There is another structure: It's time someone did something:

• It's nearly midnight. It's time we went home.

We use the past (went) after It's time someone . . . but the meaning is present or future, not past

• Why are you still in bed? It's time you got up. (not time you get up)

We use the structure It's time someone did something especially when we are complaining or
criticizing, or when we think someone should have already done something:

• It's time the children were in bed. It's long past their bedtime.

• You've been wearing the same clothes for ages. Isn't it time you bought some new ones?

• I think it's time the government did something about pollution.

                        {''It's high time  }
We also say   {                            }   someone did something.''
                        {"It's about time}

This makes the complaint or criticism stronger:

• You're very selfish. It's high time you realized that you're not the most important person in the world.

• It's about time Jack did some studying for his exams.