Advice: Should and Ought To helps you communicate about recommendations, expectations and strong warnings. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can give and ask for advice using should, ought to and had better.
- Recognise and build the form: should + base; ought to + base; had better + base.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Advice: Should and Ought To for recommendations, expectations and strong warnings. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
You should drink more water.
Use 'should + base verb' to give general advice.
We ought to leave now if we want to catch the bus.
'Ought to + base verb' gives advice similar to 'should'.
You should see a doctor if the pain continues.
Use 'should' for a sensible recommendation.
should + base; ought to + base; had better + baseKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'should + base verb' to give general advice.
- 'Ought to + base verb' gives advice similar to 'should'.
- Use 'should' for a sensible recommendation.
- Use 'Should I...?' to ask for advice.
- The negative form is 'should not + base verb'.
Common mistakes
Not:You must to drink more water.
Use:You should drink more water.
Use 'should + base verb' to give general advice.
Not:We ought leave now if we want to catch the bus.
Use:We ought to leave now if we want to catch the bus.
'Ought to + base verb' gives advice similar to 'should'.
Not:You would see a doctor if the pain continues.
Use:You should see a doctor if the pain continues.
Use 'should' for a sensible recommendation.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ I apologize to her?
Should
Use 'Should I...?' to ask for advice.
You ____ not ignore that warning.
should
The negative form is 'should not + base verb'.
We ____ check the figures again before publishing.
had better
'Had better' gives strong advice about a specific situation.