2. Should
Shouldn’t
Function: giving advice
or suggestions in English

3. Should is a modal auxiliary that
we use very frequently in English:
To give advice or a
recommendation:
Example:
That new restaurant
downtown is great!
You should try it.

4. We also use should . . .
To give our opinion about
something.
To say what we think is a good
idea or the “right” thing to, do
in our opinion.

5. *Should is not as strong as
“must” or “have to”
Consider these examples . . .
You should stop smoking.
(=it would be a good idea; this is my
suggestion.)
You must stop smoking.
(=it is necessary that you stop.
You have to do it.)

6. The negative of should =
The contraction (short) form is often used
with the negative, especially in spoken
English:
The mother told her child:
“You shouldn’t eat too much candy,
or you’ll get sick.”

7. Fill in the blanks
You should take some medicine.
You _______ should
get some rest.
You _______ should
drink some orange juice.
You shouldn’t go to work.
You _______ shouldn’t
go out in the cold.
You _______ shouldn’t
eat too much junk food.
Should I call the doctor? Yes, you should.
______ Should
I get some rest? Yes, you should.
Should I go out in the rain? No, you
shouldn’t
______.

8. Grammar:
Should is an auxiliari; remember
this important rule . . .

9. Examples:
You should your money
to buy a new house.
Mark shouldn’t out to play with his
friends. He has too much homework.

10. “Practice makes perfect!”
Make sentences with should and ought to:
Use should:
1. Your sister needs to
get into shape.
2. Your classmate
doesn’t understand
the grammar.
Use ought to:
1. You’re friend wants
to take a computer
class, but he doesn’t
know which one he
to take.
2. Your mother doesn’t
feel well.

11. Now it’s your turn to practice using
should and ought to in the past:
1. Your friend has a terrible
headache. You ask him if he took
any aspirin, and he tells you “no.”
What do you say to him? (use should)