Page 235 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

229 gone with be
Gone can be used like an adjective after be, to say that somebody is away, or that something has disappeared or that there is no more.
She's been gone for three hours - what do you think she's doing? You can go out shopping, but don't be gone too long.
When I came back my car was gone. Is the butter all gone?
For been used as a past panicipJe of go or come, see 95.
230 had better 1 meaning
We use had better to give strong advice, or to tell people what to do (including ourselves).
You'd better turn that music down before your Dad gets angry. It's seven o'clock. I'd better put the meat in the oven.
Had better refers to the immediate future. It is more urgent than should or ought. Compare:
I really ought to go and see Fred one ofthese days. - Well, you'd better do it soon - he's leaving for South Africa at the end of the month.
Had better is not used in polite requests. Compare:
Could you help me, ifyou've got time? (request)
You'd better help me. lfyou don't, there'll be trouble. (order/threat)
Note that had better does not usually suggest that the action recommended would be better than another one that is being considered - there is no idea of comparison. The structure means 'It would be good to .. :, not 'It would be better to .. .'.
2 forms
Had better refers to the immediate future, but the form is always past (have better is impossible). After had better we use the infinitive without to.
It's late - you had better hurry up.
(NOT ••• )'6u have better ...)
(NOT ••• )'6u htttl bettet' hurrying I 16 hltrry . ..)
We normally make the negative with had better not + infinitive. You'd better not wake me up when you come in.
(You hadn't better wake me ... is possible but very unusual.) A negative interrogative form Hadn't . .. better . .. ? is possible.
Hadn't we better tell him the truth?
Normal unemphatic short answer forms are as follows: Shall I put my clothes away?- You'd better!
He says he won't tell anybody. -He'd better not.
Had is sometimes dropped in very informal speech. You better go now. I better try again later.
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