Should & Shouldn’t (Giving Advice)
Give and ask for advice with should and shouldn't — one easy form, base verb, no “to”. A2 grammar with 20 questions.
When we give advice — say what is a good or bad idea — we use should and shouldn’t. “You should practise every day.” “You shouldn’t study late at night.”
How to make it: should + base verb
Like other modal verbs, should never changes and is followed by the base verb (no -s, no “to”).
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | You should drink water. |
| Negative | You shouldn’t (should not) skip breakfast. |
| Question | Should I call the tutor? |
Same for everyone“Should” is the same for I, you, he, she, they. Say “She should rest,” never “She shoulds rest.”
Asking for and giving advice
- “I want to improve my English. What should I do?”
- “You should take lessons with a tutor and practise speaking.”
- “You shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes — mistakes help you learn!”
Useful for many situations
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Tired | You should go to bed early. |
| Exam soon | You should review your notes. |
| Feeling ill | You should see a doctor. |
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersDon’t add “to” after should: not “You should to study” but “You should study.” And like “can” and “will,” should never takes -s, even for he/she.
Common mistakes
- You should to rest. → You should rest.
- She shoulds study. → She should study.
- You don’t should worry. → You shouldn’t worry.
Practise giving advice with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."You ___ practise every day." (good advice)
should + base verb.
2."You ___ study late at night." (bad idea)
shouldn't = should not.
3.Which is correct?
No "to" after should.
4.Which is correct?
should never adds -s.
5.Question: "___ I call the tutor?"
Should I...?
6.Negative form of "should":
should not → shouldn't.
7.Which is correct?
You shouldn't worry.
8."I want to improve my English. What ___ I do?"
What should I do?
9.Advice for "tired":
Logical advice + correct form.
10.Advice for "exam soon":
should review.
11.Advice for "feeling ill":
should see a doctor.
12."He ___ eat more vegetables."
should (same for he).
13."They ___ be late for the lesson." (advise against)
shouldn't be late.
14."You ___ be afraid of mistakes." (advise against)
shouldn't = advice not to.
15.Choose the polite advice question:
Should I take lessons?
16."We ___ help each other."
should + base verb.
17."You look tired. You ___ rest."
should rest.
18."I think you ___ apologise."
should apologise.
19.Which sentence gives correct advice?
should drink water.
20."___ we book a lesson now?" (asking advice)
Should we...?
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