【问】 下面是《英语难题解答400则》第146条问答：

“问[146]：81年研究生试题：Since she is angry，we might as well leave her alone，如用had better取代might as well，可以吗?

▲答：各有其用，如互换，则引起细微的变义。(1)might as well (might just as well，mayas well)的含义近似“无妨”，“退求其次”，“将就也罢”，例如：I know you are eager to goto meet your wife at the station，but since it is raining so hard and you are so tired out af-ter a heavy day，you might as well stay at home and wait for her. (=stay at home as wellas go to the station) She has been very choosey in looking for a suitable man to marry. Butnow she is past the prime of her youth and beauty，she may as well pick up a home-produced college graduate. I think.这两句带有消极含义。(2) had better有“劝告”的作用，由原则出发选择行动，或为了避免错误或损害;例如：Today most parents spoil their only son or daughter consequently he or she，when grown up，takes to evil ways and mayeven commit crimes. So you had better keep your only son in strict discipline. You plan togo to England for further studies after your graduation from college，don’t you? Meanwhile you had better get ready with your English.根据我的理解，我认为81年研究生试题不必用“退求其次”的might as well，最好改用“选择”的had better，即：Since she is an-gry，we had better leave her alone.”

您是否也认为上面试题中的might as well应改为had better?

【答】 从本书had better，may as well，might as well/had better¹诸条目的论述和实例中可以看出，had better主要用于表示从许多办法或措施中选择最佳的方法或措施，在说话人看来，他所提出的方法或措施是最佳的，令人满意的。因此，you had better所提出的建议并不是很客气、很委婉的。might as well则主要用于表示“没有办法的办法”那种无可奈何的心情和语气，所提出的办法或建议，在说话者看来，并不是理想的，令人满意的，但又找不到合乎理想的办法，而只能如此。如果把上题中的might as well改为had better，虽然句子是正确的，意思也说得通，但是说话人那种出于无奈的语气却消失得无影无踪了。因此，还是不改为好。上面试题的完整形式见may as well/may well条。