Davidrock65  +  343659 Mon, 26 Mar 07 01:51 PM Dear teachers a) I think you'd be better off trying to increase your vocabulary instead of wasting your valuable time in such a futile activity. b)I think you'd be better try to increase your vocabulary instead of wasting your valuable time in such a futile activity. Is there any difference between "better off" and "better?" What does "off" mean after better? Thanks for answering Davidrock65 Joined on Wed, Apr 19 2006 taipei Full Member 237 Vocabulary, Difference Between

	Marius Hancu  +  343661 Mon, 26 Mar 07 01:59 PM 1) It would be better for you 2) Incorrect: you'd be better try Perhaps: I think you should try to increase your vocabulary instead of wasting your valuable time in such a futile activity. (i.e. I think it would be recommended that you try to) Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Vocabulary

	Orpheus  +  343665 Mon, 26 Mar 07 02:16 PM In the above context, I think it would be more appropriate to say: you'd better try to... (you HAD better, not would be better). Orpheus Joined on Tue, Jun 17 2003 Jakarta, Indonesia Regular Member 587 'Truth is Subjectivity' - Kierkegaard

	Goodman  +  343786 Mon, 26 Mar 07 07:36 PM Hi Orpheus, No, “you’d better…” and “you are better off” don’t exactly bear the same meaning. The former has a consequential tone and the latter has a suggestive tone.   You’d better finish you home work before you turn on the TV!  - Consequential You’d better amend your tax return before IRS catches up to you!- Consequential   Because of the increased security, I think you are better off to arrive at the airport early so that you won’t miss your flight. – Suggestive     Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all!

	Davidrock65  +  343963 Tue, 27 Mar 07 08:21 AM Dear Goodman A) Because of the increased security, I think you are better off to arrive at the airport early so that you won’t miss your flight. B)Because of the increased security, I think you'd better to arrive at the airport early so that you won’t miss your flight. I can't really tell the difference between the two.   Could you please explain more clearly? Thanks Davidrock65 Difference Between

	Davidrock65  +  344104 Tue, 27 Mar 07 02:58 PM Excuse me, Goodman Shouldn't it be "Because of the increased security, I think you are better off arriving at the airport early so that you won’t miss your flight?" Davidrock65

	Goodman  +  344285 Tue, 27 Mar 07 08:16 PM David, “You are better off” is used when you already have a negative notion about something and you try to avoid it. The traffic is bad to the airport. I think you are better off to take the Metro Rail to the airport. You are suggesting an alternative which has no threatening tone.   “You’d better tell your dad about the accident before he finds out”. This hints resultant consequences.   They may seem interchangeable to you. But they are not quiet the same in tone.   <<"Because of the increased security, I think you are better off arriving at the airport early so that you won’t miss your flight?>>   "By the way, “arriving” is the state of getting there which is not the case. So I would still use “to arrive”. Just my take. Goodman Negatives