Modals of Advice: Should
 
Click each section below to review the grammar explanation and examples.
A Basic Structure & Example Paragraph

We use should to give advice, recommendations, or talk about the right thing to do. After should, always use the base form of the verb.

Subject + should + base verb
  • You should study every day.
  • She should drink more water.
  • They should arrive early.
  • We should exercise regularly to stay healthy.
 
Example Paragraph

Emily wants to improve her English. She should practise speaking every day. She should read short articles and learn new vocabulary. She should watch English videos because they help her understand natural conversations.

B Negative Form

Use shouldn't when something is not a good idea, not recommended, or the wrong thing to do. It gives advice about what a person should avoid.

Subject + shouldn't + base verb
  • You shouldn't drive when you're tired.
  • We shouldn't waste water.
  • He shouldn't eat too much sugar.
  • Children shouldn't spend too much time on their phones.
  • You shouldn't stay up too late before an exam.

Tip: After shouldn't, always use the base form of the verb. Never use to, the -ing form, or the past tense.

C Questions

Use Should + subject + base verb? to ask for advice, recommendations, or suggestions. This is one of the most common ways to ask someone what the best decision or action is.

Should + subject + base verb?
  • Should I call my teacher?
  • Should we leave now?
  • Should they bring their passports?
  • Should he apply for the job?
  • Should she take the earlier bus?

Tip: After should, always use the base form of the verb. Do not use to, the -ing form, or the past tense.

D Wh- Questions

Add a question word before should when you want more specific advice. Wh- questions ask about details such as what, where, when, why, and how.

Question word + should + subject + base verb?
  • What should I do?
  • Where should we meet?
  • When should she apply?
  • Why should they wait?
  • How should I prepare for the interview?

Tip: Wh- questions help you ask for specific guidance instead of a simple yes or no answer.

E Short Answers

When answering a Should...? question, you usually do not repeat the entire sentence. Instead, use Yes, ... should. or No, ... shouldn't. This makes your answers sound more natural and fluent.

Yes, subject + should.

No, subject + shouldn't.
  • Should I take the bus?
    Yes, you should.
  • Should we leave now?
    No, you shouldn't.
  • Should she apply today?
    Yes, she should.
  • Should they wait outside?
    No, they shouldn't.

Tip: Short answers avoid unnecessary repetition and make your conversations sound more natural.

F Should Be

Use should be to describe what is expected, recommended, or appropriate. Instead of giving advice about an action, should be describes the condition or state that something or someone is expected to have.

Subject + should be + noun / adjective / phrase
  • The meeting should be finished by noon.
  • Your homework should be ready tomorrow.
  • Everyone should be respectful.
  • The restaurant should be open by now.
  • The roads should be much quieter after rush hour.

Tip: Use should when giving advice about an action. Use should be when talking about an expected state, condition, or result.

G Should Have

Use should have + past participle to talk about something that was a good idea in the past but did not happen. It is commonly used to express regret, criticism, or a missed opportunity.

Subject + should have + past participle
  • I should have studied harder for the exam.
  • She should have called her parents.
  • They should have left earlier to avoid traffic.
  • We should have booked our tickets in advance.
  • He should have listened to the doctor's advice.

Tip: Use should have only when talking about the past. It describes an action that would have been better, but was not completed.

H Key Points to Remember

Remember these key ideas:

  • After should, always use the base form of the verb.
  • Use should to give advice, recommendations, or talk about the right thing to do.
  • Use shouldn't when something is not recommended or not a good idea.
  • Use Should + subject + base verb? to ask for advice or suggestions.
  • Add a question word before should when asking for specific advice.
  • Use should be to describe an expected, recommended, or appropriate state or condition.
  • Use should have + past participle to talk about a good idea that did not happen in the past, often expressing regret, criticism, or a missed opportunity.

✓ You should study every day.
✓ She should be at home by now.
✓ We should have left earlier.
✓ Should I call the office?

✗ You should to study every day.
✗ She should is at home.
✗ We should have leave earlier.

H Key Points to Remember

Remember these key ideas:

  • After should, always use the base form of the verb.
  • Use should to give advice, recommendations, or talk about the right thing to do.
  • Use shouldn't when something is not recommended or not a good idea.
  • Use Should + subject + base verb? to ask for advice or suggestions.
  • Add a question word before should when asking for specific advice.
  • Use should be to describe an expected, recommended, or appropriate state or condition.
  • Use should have + past participle to talk about a good idea that did not happen in the past, often expressing regret, criticism, or a missed opportunity.

✓ You should study every day.
✓ She should be at home by now.
✓ We should have left earlier.
✓ Should I call the office?

✗ You should to study every day.
✗ She should is at home.
✗ We should have leave earlier.

Practice Exercises »