Had better, should, ought to

are used to give advice

How to form the word

Should shouldnt / should not

ought to /ought not to

had better (not) / d better (not)

**** I, you, he, she, it, we they = He should go, She had better make changes

Should/ ought to/ had better + V1 (no change)

use should and ought to for general advice

You should assess yourself before you look for a job.

She ought to look for a new job.

Use had better (not) only for very strong advice and warnings. Had better (not) is much
stronger than should or ought to. It suggests that something negative will happen if you
dont take the advice. We usually only use it in speaking
You had better finish this project, or you might lose your job!
Use should in questions. Ought to and had better are not common in questions.
Should I ask about the salary at the interview?

Should Ought to Had better Have to

Suggestion

Obligation

Probability -

Desperate hope
1. My teacher told me that I ______review my notes every day. I guess it's a
good idea to look at them after class.
2. Do you think Carol______save her money or spend it? She is planning to go
to Europe this summer.
3. I'm going to a party tonight. What _______ I wear: a dress or black pants?
4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We _____ fill it up with gas soon or we
will run out of gas!
5. If you are worried about getting fat, you -______ eat at McDonald's every
day. You _____eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.
6. It's really raining outside right now. I _______ forget my umbrella or I'll get
wet!
7. Where _____we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?
8. My doctor feels that I _____exercise more because I'm out of shape and
want to lose weight. I think he's right

1. My teacher told me that I should review my notes every day. I guess it's a
good idea to look at them after class.
2. Do you think Carol should save her money or spend it? She is planning to
go to Europe this summer.
3. I'm going to a party tonight. What should I wear: a dress or black pants?
4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We had better fill it up with gas soon
or we will run out of gas!
5. If you are worried about getting fat, you should not eat at McDonald's
every day. You should eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.
6. It's really raining outside right now. I had better not forget my umbrella or
I'll get wet!
7. Where should we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?
8. My doctor feels that I should exercise more because I'm out of shape and
want to lose weight. I think he's right
(i) It may rain, take an umbrella.
................................................................................
(ii) The manager wants to meet the new offi cer right now. Call him immediately.
................................................................................
(iii) This dress is torn. Change it.
................................................................................
(iv) You are planning to move to France. Learn French.
................................................................................
Exercise 2 Fill in the blanks with should / had better whichever is suitable:
(i) The car has broken down; we .. take a taxi so that we reach in time.
(ii) It is very cold outside. You .. wear your coat before leaving.
(iii) I .. sleep early as I have to travel tomorrow.
(iv) We .. be in the habit of having a light dinner. (v) The next time you are in
Delhi you .. visit us.

Answers to Exercise 1 (i) Wed better take the umbrella. It may rain. (ii) The manager wants
to meet the new offi cer, youd better call him immediately. (iii) This dress is torn, youd
better change it. (iv) You are planning to move to France. Youd better learn French. Answers
to Exercise- 2 (i) had better (ii) should (iii) had better (iv) should (v) should