sum better dear linguists behalf friend asked check sentences _ better _ _ better _ etc summary end may raised query acceptability following sentences 1 nt better stay tonight 2 better stay tonight 3 promise pay back b better surprise soon posting got many 64 reposes thank much answering query nt expected may people interested matter think mention names email addresses far many mention feel inadequet please email prof tanaka write names list immediately prepare writing names result inquiry follows 1 2 3 ok 10 0 12 15 5 3 39 59 49 two thirds respondents refused usages also add usages varies geometrically especially british english seemed also asked sentences using _ better examples 4 5 6 typical instances _ better _ inanimate subjects 4 better rain tomorrow cant got beach 5 spent day working tv better work 6 joe explain late jane better good people say _ better good _ cliche 6 implies speaker kas expectations excuse fanciful plain untrue would like thank people reponded comments matter please email prof tanaka best wishes hiroaki tanaka associate professor tokushima university japan hirot ias tokushimau ac jp