Modals - should

In this lesson, you will learn how to use should to give advice.

1. What does should mean?

Use should when:

• giving advice
• saying what you think is a good idea
• talking about what is best to do

Use should for advice or suggestions. Use it when something is a good idea, not a rule.

2. Common uses of should

Advice and best choice

Examples:

• “You should rest.”
• “You should talk to your teacher.”
• “We should leave early.”
• “She should take the bus.”

3. Structure of should

Positive sentences

Subject + should + base verb

Examples:

• “You should drink more water.”
• “She should see a doctor.”
• “They should study more.”

Negative sentences

Subject + should not + base verb

Examples:

• “You should not smoke.” → You shouldn’t smoke.
• “He should not stay up late.” → He shouldn’t stay up late.

Questions

Should + subject + base verb?

Examples:

• “Should I call her?”
• “Should we leave now?”

Note: Should is the same for all subjects: I should, he should, they should.

4. Should vs have to

Learners sometimes confuse should and have to, but they are not the same.

• Should → advice (your opinion)
• Have to → obligation (rule or necessity)

Examples:

• “You should eat more vegetables.” (Advice)
• “You have to wear a helmet.” (Rule)

5. Easy way to remember

• Should → suggestion / good idea
• Have to → obligation / must do

Remember: use should + base verb to give advice or say what you think is the best idea.