Should, shouldn’t

Should, shouldn’t

Exercise 2

Choose the correct forms to complete the following sentences.

Page 1 of 2

1 What _____ tell Peter?

a.should I

b.should I to

c.do I should

2 They _____ to go to the police.

a.should

b.ought

c.shouldn't

3 I _____ take that course. It's a waste of time.

a.think you shouldn't

b.think you should not

c.don't think you should

4 People _____ be afraid of their governments.

a.ought not to

b.ought to not

c.shouldn't to

5 What _____ do if he doesn't get a promotion?

a.does Brian should

b.should Brian

c.should Brian to

Page 2 of 2

6 You _____ swim immediately after a meal.

a.should not

b.ought not

c.shouldn't to

7 We _____ take the money. You'll never be able to pay it back.

a.think you should not

b.think you ought not to

c.don't think you should

8 Politicians _____ to be completely honest and transparent.

a.ought

b.shouldn't

c.should

9 She _____ work so hard. She's under too much stress.

a.shouldn't

b.shouldn't to

c.ought not

10 Why _____ listen to you?

a.do I should

b.should I

c.should I to

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Should, shouldn’t – Form

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The same form for all persons

The form of should is the same for all persons:

• I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they should see a specialist. 

Should(n’t) + infinitive

Should is a modal verb, and all modal verbs are followed by an infinitive (without to).

• You should listen to me. (NOT You should to listen.)

Should not= shouldn’t

The negative form of should is should not or shouldn’t.

• You should not be here./You shouldn’t be here. 

Questions

To make questions, we use should + subject + infinitive. We don’t use the verb do to make questions.

• Should we call him?

Should, shouldn’t – Use

Giving advice

We use should or shouldn’t to give somebody advice and to say what is or isn’t the right thing to do.

• You look tired. You should have some rest. 
• He shouldn’t drive so fast. He’ll have an accident one day. 

I think you should …

We often say I think … should … to give somebody advice.

• I think you should buy a new pair of shoes for the party. 
• I think we should go home; it’s very late. 

Note that in a negative sentence, we often say I don’t think … should … (NOT I think … shouldn’t …)

• I don’t think you should call her now; she’s very upset. (NOT I think you shouldn’t call her)

We often say Do you think … should … to ask for advice.

• Do you think I should look for another apartment?

Ought to, ought not to

We can also use ought to instead of should, and ought not to instead of shouldn’t.

• You ought to have some rest.
• He ought not to drive so fast. 

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