Should for advice
You should see a doctor, you shouldn't worry, what should I do?: advice and recommendations with should.
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We use should to give advice and to say what we think is the right thing to do. The negative is shouldn't. Like can and must, should is the same for every person, and the verb after it has no to.
Form: should + verb
Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
You should go. | You shouldn't go. | Should I go? |
She should rest. | She shouldn't work today. | Should she rest? |
- You should try the fish here. It's very good.
- We shouldn't stay too long. We have to get up early.
- Incorrect: You should to go to bed.
- Correct: You should go to bed.After should, the verb has no to.
- Incorrect: He shoulds work less.
- Correct: He should work less.Should never takes -s.
Giving advice
Use should when you tell someone what you think is a good idea, and shouldn't for what you think is a bad idea.
- You've got a temperature. You should see a doctor.
- You shouldn't drive when you're tired.
- If you go to Edinburgh, you should visit the castle.
I think you should
To make advice softer, we often start with I think or I don't think. With a negative opinion, I don't think you should is more usual than I think you shouldn't.
- I think you should call her.
- I don't think you should buy that car. It's too expensive.
- Do you think I should apply for the job?
Asking for advice: should I ...?
To ask for advice, put should before the subject. Don't use do.
- Should I take a jacket?
- What should I wear to the interview?
- Where should we go for dinner?
- Incorrect: Do I should bring something?
- Correct: Should I bring something?Should makes its own questions, without do.
- Incorrect: What I should do?
- Correct: What should I do?In a question, should comes before the subject.
In British English, Shall I ...? and What shall I do? are also very common when you ask for advice.
Other ways to give advice
Should is the most common way, but there are others. Why don't you ...? is friendly and soft. If I were you, I'd ... is very common in speech; learn it as a phrase.
- Why don't you ask your manager?
- Why don't we take a taxi? It's late.
- If I were you, I'd take the job.
- You could try the new Italian place.
(Could gives one possible idea, softer than should.)
What is right or expected
Should also says what is the right way, or what we expect to happen.
- People should be polite to waiters.
- The office shouldn't be so cold. Can we turn the heating on?
- The train should arrive at six.
(That's the plan, so I expect it.)
Should or must?
Should is advice: the other person decides. Must is much stronger: a rule, something that is really necessary, or a very strong recommendation, as in You must see this film.
should | must |
|---|---|
You should take an umbrella. | You must wear a seat belt. |
(It's a good idea.) | (It's the law.) |
- You should drink more water.
- Passengers must show their tickets.
Ought to means the same as should in advice, but it is less common: You ought to call your mum.
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