should / shouldn't
Giving advice.
We use should + base verb to give advice or make a recommendation — to say that something is a good idea. Its negative form is shouldn't (should not) + base verb, used to say that something is a bad idea. A key point is that should never changes its form: we say I should, you should, he should, she should, we should, they should — there is no -s in the third person. To make a question we put Should first: 'Should I wear a coat?' To answer, we say 'Yes, you should' or 'No, you shouldn't'. Should is a modal verb, so the verb that follows is always in the base (infinitive) form — never with to and never with an -s, -ed or -ing ending. We also never use do/does with should in questions. Compare: should for advice vs. must for strong obligation (must is not a choice, should is). For example: 'Leyla has a headache. She should drink some water and she shouldn't watch TV for a long time.'
Rules
- 1Use should + base verb to give positive advice (it is a good idea): You should go to bed early.
- 2Use shouldn't + base verb to give negative advice (it is a bad idea): He shouldn't eat so much sugar.
- 3Should has the same form for all subjects — never add -s: She should (NOT she shoulds).
- 4To make a question, put Should before the subject: Should I call a doctor?
- 5Do NOT use do/does with should, and do NOT use to after should: You should rest (NOT You should to rest).
Practice
10 easy · 10 medium · 10 hard
10 random questions per test