SHOULD / SHOULDN`T

Meaning, Uses, structure, exercises and examples

Explained by:
 Fernando Paredes Z.
 Francisco Illingworth P.

University teacher:
Miss DORIS JEANNETTE CALI MAGALLANES
 Should and Shouldn`t

The auxiliary should, used as conditional, expresses a tip or a suggestion or to recommend

doing something , give advice or to give an opinion and to affirm if we think something is as
it should be or not.
We use should when something is a good thing to do or the right thing to do.
Example:
You look tire. You should go to bed.
The government should do more to help homeless people.

Similarly, on some occasions should express an idea of probability, for example:

Susan should be in her lab right now.
We often use SHOULD with I THINK / I DON`T THINK / DO YOU THINK…?
Adding I THINK / I DON`T THINK before “should” is more polite because it shows you are
talking about opinion.
Example: I think the government should do more to help homeless people.
I don`t think you should work so hard.
Do you think I should apply for this job? Yes, I think you should.

We use should to say that we expect something to happen:

Example: She`s been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass. (I expect her to
pass)

We also use should when you didn`t do something but it would have been the right thing
to do.
Example: It was a great party last night. You should have come.
I feel sick. I shouldn`t have eaten so much chocolate.
She shouldn`t have been listening to our conversation. It was private.

Should be accompanied by the infinitive of the main verb without “to” and you don`t need
to add the do / does auxiliary for the negative and interrogative form.
 Structure of Should

Positive form

SUBJECT + (SHOULD + Verb BASE FORM) + COMPLEMENT

Examples:

– You should go to the doctor.

– Elene should talk to her husband more.
– They should stop smoking.

It doesn`t change for the third person singular: She should study harder.

Negative form

To form the negation is added not after should

SUBJECT + (SHOULDN’T (should not)+ Verb BASE FORM)+ COMPLEMENT

Examples:

– You shouldn’t work too much.

– John shouldn’t play football because he is not feeling well.
– They shouldn’t wear jeans to go to work.

Question form

QUESTION WORD + (SHOULD + SUBJECT + Verb BASE FORM) + COMPLEMENT

– Where should I study English?

– What should we do when there is an earthquake?
– Should we buy a used or new car?
 Exercises:
A. Complete the sentences with should / shouldn’t and the verb in brackets.

1. You __shouldn’t work__ (work) so hard. Have a holiday.

2. I enjoyed that film. We ________________ (go) to the cinema more often.
3. You ________________ (park) here. It’s not allowed.
4. What ________________ (I/cook) for dinner tonight?
5. You ________________ (wear) a coat. It’s cold outside.
6. You ________________ (eat) so many sweets. They’re bad for you.
7. We ________________ (arrive) at the airport two hours before the flight.
8. Do you think I ________________ (apply) for the job?
9. What do you think I ________________ (write) in this space on the form?
10. I ________________ (eat) any more cake. I have eaten too much.

B. Use the expressions on the table to ask questions for advice to your friends in the
following situations. Start with Should I ...? or with Do you think I should ...? (only
one of the two)

go on a diet learn Italian find a pen pal

take my cat to the vet look for new job

1. Your cat is not looking very well.

__Should I take my cat to the vet?_________ o
__Do you think I should take my cat to the vet?__

2. You are not happy at your current job.

______________________________________________
3. You need to practice your English.

______________________________________________
4. You think you are overweight.

______________________________________________
5. You are travelling to Italy very soon.

______________________________________________
 C. Match the statements to the advice. Type the letter in the box.

1. I've got a headache. A You shouldn't sit so close to the TV.

2. I'm cold. B You should do some exercise.

3. The game starts at three o'clock. C He shouldn't stay up so late.

4. He's always tired in the morning. D You should stay in bed.

5. I don't feel well. E You should put on a jumper.

6. I want to lose weight. F We should leave at two-thirty.