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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > What ´s the difference?    

What ´s the difference?



jocel
Philippines

What ´s the difference?
 

Hello Colleague!

Good day every one!
 
Could anybody help me with this? What ´s the difference between these two sentences?
 
1. You ´d better not play your ball.
 
2. You better not play �WITH � your ball
 
Are these two sentences gramatically right? When can I use the preposition �WITH �?
 
Thanks in advance!
 
 
Hugs,
 
jocel

30 Sep 2011      





PhilipR
Thailand

Neither sentence is correct. Possible correct alternatives:

1. You ´d (or you had) better not play with your ball.
2. You ´d better not play ball. (play ball = play a ball sport, primarily baseball - AmE)

I guess you need the first one if it ´s a kid playing on his own with his ball, the second one if he´s playing baseball in the yard with friends.
´You better � is heard more and more nowadays and has all but become common usage (esp. when speaking). Even Michael Swan doesn ´t consider it a real mistake anymore. When writing, however, it ´s probably best to go with ´you had better � or you ´d better �.

30 Sep 2011     



jocel
Philippines

Thank you so much PhilipR!

It was really a big help! I understand that 100%...  Hug

30 Sep 2011