Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

You want to 

414g

You want to

is used in informal contexts to make suggestions and to give advice:

[speaker A is complaining about poor sound-proofing in their terraced house]

A: I realise that they can hear everything through that wall.

B: Oh dear. 

A: Cos I heard Michael cough once and it was like he was sitting next to me

and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I mean, what can he hear?’ 

B: 

You want to sound-proof your room with egg boxes

. 

A: Well. No. You live in a terrace. It’s a hazard of life isn’t it? 

B: Yeah. Yeah. That’s true.

(Note also the use of want following may and might, 

Û 

414a above

)

Û

also 421a What about, what if, how about 

A–Z

75 Want

Had better

414h

Had better (not)

is used to give warnings and strong advice:

A: 

You’d better move your car Pete

cos I’m sure somebody’s gonna nip in and

steal that trailer. They’re terrible thieves of trailers. 

B: Oh right.

[lights here refers to car headlights]

You’ve left your lights on. 

You’d better go and turn them off

. 

A: 

You’d better get an early night

if you’re going to be up early.

B: Mm.

You’d better not post that letter

.

✪

Had better

is quite a strong expression, used when the speaker thinks there will

be negative consequences if the desired action is not taken; it is not appropriate

when making ordinary suggestions or recommendations:

I recommend you go to the Tokyo Tower in Shibaura. If you go to the top of

the tower you will see a view of most of Tokyo. At night go to Aoyama where

you can find many nice restaurants.

(At night you’d better go to Aoyama where you can find many nice

restaurants.)

692 | Speech acts

Cambridge Grammar of English

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