“should” is used with a verb in its infinitive form. It has the same form for all persons and number:
Pattern:
I / you / he, she, it / we / they “should” + V (inf.)
When you “should” do something, that means it is a good thing to do, or it is the right thing to do:
It’s cold out – you should put on a coat. (It is a good thing for you to put on a coat.)
You should brush your teeth after every meal. (It is a good thing for you to brush your teeth after every meal.)
You should help your neighbor if he is having trouble. (Helping your neighbor is the right thing to do.)
To use the negative, put “not” between “should” and its verb:
Pattern:
I / you / he, she, it / we / they “should not” + V (inf.)
When you “should not” do something, that means it is not a good thing to do, or it is the wrong thing to do:
Tom should not work so hard. (It is not a good thing for Tom to work so hard.)
You should not be rude. (Being rude is not the right thing to do.)
Jane should not be late for class. (Being late for class is not the right thing to do.)
Many times we give advice by saying, “I think you should…”:
I think you should go visit your mother.
I think Jack should get a haircut.
Matt thinks Susan should buy a new car.
For the negative form: “I don’t think you should…”:
I don’t think you should give James a hard time.
I don’t think Jack and Jill should go up the hill.
Mr. Miller doesn’t think Peter should go into second grade yet.
If we want to ask someone for advice, we can say “Do you think I should…?”:
Do you think I should go to Hawaii for vacation?
Do you think I should buy this necktie?
Do you think I should invite Sam to the party?
Note: “should” is not the same as “have to”.
- “Have to” means there is an obligation.
- “Should” does not imply obligation. It only means that it is a good idea.
Instead of saying “should,” you can also say “ought to”:
I think you ought to go visit your mother.
You ought to brush your teeth after every meal.
Do you think I ought to buy this necktie?
Exercises: Complete the following sentences, using “you should” + and one of the following verbs:
Example:
If you are tired, _________ to bed. (go) ==> If you are tired, you should go to bed.
Use these verbs:
apologize
bring
clean
go
lock
put
turn off
watch
water
wear
1. When you go swimming, ______________ swim goggles.
2. If you are going to the party, ______________ a gift.
3. When you plant some seeds, ______________ them.
4. If you gain weight, ______________ on a diet.
5. If you hurt someone, ______________ to them.
6. That’s a very interesting TV program. ______________ it.
7. If you get your clothes dirty, ______________ them in the laundry.
8. When you have finished, ______________ the lights.
9. If you’re leaving the house, ______________ the door.
10. If you make a mess, ______________ it up.
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