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English grammar

should for advice

A2 · Elementary Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

should gives advice or says what is a good idea: You should see a doctor. It is much softer than must — nobody is forced. The form is should + the plain verb, the negative is should not, and the question turns it round: Should I call them?

Pattern

should + plain verb · should not + plain verb · Should I …?

Examples

  1. You should see a doctor about that cough.

  2. We should leave a bit earlier this time.

  3. You should not drink coffee so late.

  4. Should I bring anything?

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: You should to rest.

    Right: You should rest.

    should is never followed by to.

  • Wrong: She shoulds call them.

    Right: She should call them.

    should never takes -s.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    You _____ take these tablets after meals.

    1. shoulds
    2. must to
    3. are should
    4. should
    Show answer

    Answer: D You should take these tablets after meals.

    Advice takes should.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    He should _____ more water.

    1. drink
    2. drinks
    3. drinking
    4. to drink
    Show answer

    Answer: A He should drink more water.

    No to and no -s after should.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    _____ I call the surgery today?

    1. Do
    2. Am
    3. Should
    4. Does
    Show answer

    Answer: C Should I call the surgery today?

    The question starts with Should.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    You _____ carry heavy things with that back.

    1. should not
    2. do not should
    3. should not to
    4. not should
    Show answer

    Answer: A You should not carry heavy things with that back.

    not goes straight after should.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    They _____ book in advance for the concert.

    1. are should
    2. should
    3. should to
    4. shoulds
    Show answer

    Answer: B They should book in advance for the concert.

    should is the same for every subject.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. You shoulds ask the pharmacist.
    2. You should ask the pharmacist.
    3. You should to ask the pharmacist.
    4. You should asking the pharmacist.
    Show answer

    Answer: B You should ask the pharmacist.

    should + plain verb.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She should go not to work today.
    2. She should not go to work today.
    3. She not should go to work today.
    4. She does not should go to work today.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She should not go to work today.

    not follows should.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. We should tell the landlord.
    2. She should tell the landlord.
    3. We should tell him today.
    4. We shoulds tell the landlord.
    Show answer

    Answer: D We shoulds tell the landlord.

    No -s on should.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. Should you come earlier?
    2. Should you to come earlier?
    3. Should she come earlier?
    4. Should we come earlier?
    Show answer

    Answer: B Should you to come earlier?

    No to after should.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    You should rest for a few days

    Show answer

    Answer: You should rest for a few days.

    should, then the plain verb.

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