We use can and can't to talk about someone's skill or general abilities: She can speak several languages. He can swim like a fish. ... She could speak several languages.
Had better is always followed by a verb in the infinitive without 'to': You had better BE on time. You must or should be on time. Had better is ALWAYS formed from the auxiliary verb 'have' in the past simple ('has better' or 'will have better' do not exist!).
'Had better' is used to give advice in a particular situation, especially when you want to ensure you avoid a negative consequence outcome. In the spoken English language, we use 'had better' to give advice in the present and future. It is not a very commonly used modal verb./span>
We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to” to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of “have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future./span>
Example sentences — We had better wear face masks when we travel to protect against flu viruses. — You'd better get in bed before mom sees that you're still up playing video games. — I'd better get going or I'll be late for work. — We had better buy travel insurance this time.
Had better or would rather, would prefer? We don't use had better when we talk about preferences. We use would rather or would prefer. I'd better get a taxi./span>
If you do come, I can give you a lot of suggestions and advice. For instance, everyone who visit's the Big Apple should go to Central Park. If you're a smoker, you had better not smoke there, because smoking is illegal in NYC parks. ... We use should this way when we want to give a suggestion./span>
You are correct: "had better" is a strong suggestion, as in, "You'd better speak more softly." To express that idea in a gentler way, you could say: You might speak more softly. You could speak more softly. Why don't you speak a little more softly ?
Sentence examples for I would better from inspiring English sources. The recipe alone is so alarming that I would better to have left it alone. And I just felt, I would better be able to contribute by being in the Navy". "The coach told me I would better suited to another sport.
—used to indicate what someone said or thought about what was going to happen or be done. —used to talk about a possible situation that has not happened or that you are imagining. —used with have to talk about something that did not happen or was not done.
I would rather ('I prefer', 'I would prefer') is used as a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by the infinitive (without 'to') when its subject is the same as the subject of the next verb. This happens when we talk about what we would prefer to do. I would rather (or I'd rather) stay with you.
Prefer and would rather can be used interchangeably. As you indicate, Omar, when we are talking about general preferences, prefer is followed by verb-ing, thus: I prefer listening to music to watching TV. I'd rather listen to music than watch TV.
Both "prefer" & "would prefer" express the preference. This site said "You can use 'prefer to (do)' or 'prefer -ing' to say what you prefer in general" & "We use 'would prefer' to say what somebody wants in a particular situation (not in general)"./span>
My brother prefers watching football to playing it. I would prefer to come early rather than be late. My students usually prefer painting with watercolours. I would prefer Mozart to Bach.
I'd prefer to have fruit juice. I'd prefer fruit juice. We use a past tense after would rather when we speak about the actions of other people, even though that action may be in the present or future. I'd rather you took a taxi (instead of walking) – it's not safe on the streets at night.
to like better or best
You cannot use "than" with "prefer"! It is wrong! I prefer A to B. This is the correct way.
When used to state a preference for one thing over another, the verb prefer is usually followed by the preposition to: prefer one to the other.
What is another word for prefer?
We use would prefer or 'd prefer, followed by a to-infinitive or a noun, to talk about present and future preferences:
"prefer to" Vs "prefer + rather than"
verb (used with object), pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring. to set or hold before or above other persons or things in estimation; like better; choose rather than: to prefer beef to chicken. Law. to give priority, as to one creditor over another.
The noun form of “prefer" is. Preference. Preference is defined as a great liking for one alternative over or above the other.
What does emotive language mean? Emotive language pertains to word choice. Specific diction is used to evoke emotion in the reader. ... Different words can be used to cause different reactions in the audience. Any words that cause an emotional reaction are examples of emotive language.
We use would prefer or 'd prefer, followed by a to-infinitive or a noun, to talk about present and future preferences:
The adverb preferably refers to the most desirable choice. ... As preferably is the adverb form of the word "prefer," we can find its roots in the Latin praeferre, which means "to set before." When you use preferably you're saying you'd set that choice before all others, though you might accept something else.