grammaticality - "Had better" — what is the meaning of this grammatically?


I'm interested to know why we use had better for recommendation. Technically we're speaking of an action that hasn't yet occurred. Like he had better leave a tip means he hasn't yet left a tip, but I suggest he do.


Why do we use the past tense had if it has nothing to do with the past? Why do we not use the subjunctive here? (He have better leave a tip.)



Answer



The NOAD reports that the meaning of had better do something is



  • would find it wiser to do something (you had better be careful)

  • ought to do something


It reports also this note about the usage:



In the verb phrase had better do something, the word had acts like an auxiliary verb; in informal spoken contexts, it is often dropped, as in you better not come tonight. In writing, the had may be contracted to ’d (you’d better call), but it should not be dropped altogether (not you better call).



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