How Do We Use Should and Shouldn't?
Should gives advice. The listener still decides what to do.
A GOOD IDEA
It's cold outside. You should wear a jacket.
A BAD IDEA
You shouldn't drink coffee at night.
ASKING FOR ADVICE
Should I call her?
You want to know what the other person thinks.
Should + base verb = a good idea. Shouldn't + base verb = a bad idea.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"You look tired. You should blank a break."
The forms
POSITIVE
SshouldV
She should eat breakfast.
One form for every subject.
NEGATIVE
Sshouldn'tV
We shouldn't wait any longer.
Shouldn't = should not.
QUESTION
ShouldSV?
Should we tell the teacher? — Yes, you should.
Short answers: Yes, you should. / No, you shouldn't.
WH- QUESTION
What / Where…shouldSV?
What should I cook tonight?
Question word, then should, then the subject.
- With an adjective: should be. You should be careful.
- Softer: I think you should…
- Softer "don't": I don't think you should… (more natural than I think you shouldn't)
TRY IT
- Question 1
"What time blank leave for the airport?"
When to use it
Health advice
You should eat more vegetables.
Very common for sleep, food and exercise.
Common phrases: sleep more · drink water · see a doctor
Deciding together
Should we take a taxi? It's late.
Ask the people with you what to do.
General opinions
Children shouldn't watch TV all day.
What people in general should or shouldn't do.
Should or Must?
| SHOULD · ADVICE | MUST · A RULE | |
|---|---|---|
| flying | You should arrive a bit early. | You must show your passport. |
| at school | You should read the book before class. | Students must wear a uniform. |
| negative | You shouldn't eat so fast. | You mustn't use your phone in the exam. |
When the listener can choose not to do it, use should.
TRY IT
- Question 1
A hospital rule: "Visitors blank leave by 8 p.m."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:You should to see a doctor.
Correct:You should see a doctor.
No to after should.
Incorrect:She should goes to bed now.
Correct:She should go to bed now.
Should never changes, and the verb after it has no -s.
Incorrect:Do I should buy this phone?
Correct:Should I buy this phone?
Should moves to the front. No do.
Incorrect:What I should say to her?
Correct:What should I say to her?
After what, put should before I.
Incorrect:You don't should stay up late.
Correct:You shouldn't stay up late.
The negative is shouldn't, not don't should.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
You shouldn't play games so late. You have school tomorrow.
- A. shouldn't — Correct
- B. don't should
- C. not should
Answer: A. shouldn't
Not goes straight after should. Should never uses don't.
You are asking a friend for advice. Choose the correct question:
Should I bring anything to the party?
- A. Should I bring — Correct
- B. Do I should bring
- C. I should bring
Answer: A. Should I bring
To ask, put should in front of I. No do.
It's too expensive and you want to tell your friend, gently, not to buy it. Choose the best sentence:
I don't think you should buy it.
- A. I don't think you should buy it. — Correct
- B. I don't think you shouldn't buy it.
- C. I think you should buy it.
Answer: A. I don't think you should buy it.
Keep should after I don't think. B has two negatives. C tells your friend to buy it.
A friend asks which shirt to wear to a party. Choose the best word:
I think you should wear the red one.
- A. should — Correct
- B. must
- C. have to
Answer: A. should
Your friend chooses the shirt. Must and have to sound like a rule.
Choose the correct word:
The baby is asleep. You should be quiet.
- A. be — Correct
- B. is
- C. are
Answer: A. be
Quiet is an adjective. After should, use be, not is or are.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions
