UNIT 33 · Intermediate · B1–B2

Should 1“you should do · ought to · should = I expect” — 44 interactive questions

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📖 Grammar Reference — Should 1

Study the notes, then work through the six exercises.

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What you’ll learnshould · shouldn’t · ought to
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~15 minNotes + 6 exercises
44 questionsInstant feedback

A should and shouldn’t — giving advice

You should get some rest.
You shouldn’t work so hard.

You should do something = it is a good idea or the right thing to do. You shouldn’t do something = it is not a good idea to do it.

shoulda good idea / adviceYou should drink more water.
shouldn’tnot a good ideaYou shouldn’t skip breakfast.

💡 After should we use the base verb with no to: should go, should be — never should to go.

B I think / I don’t think / Do you think…?

We often give an opinion or ask for advice with these phrases:

I think … shouldI think you should see a doctor.
I don’t think … shouldI don’t think you should buy that car.
Do you think … should?Do you think I should call her?
natural I don’t think you should go. ✓
less natural I think you shouldn’t go. ✗

💡 To say something is not a good idea, move the negative onto think: I don’t think you should…

C ought to = should

You ought to apologise.

ought to has almost the same meaning as should. The big difference: ought keeps to before the verb.

keep “to” You ought to rest. ✓
common error You ought rest. ✗
ought to do= should doYou ought to phone your grandmother.
ought not to do= shouldn’t doYou ought not to believe every rumour.

💡 should + base (no to), but ought + to + base. The negative is ought not to / oughtn’t to.

D should = “I expect” (something probable)

should can also mean that something is probable — what we expect to be true now or in the future.

expected nowIt’s nine o’clock — the shop should be open.
expected in the futureShe has trained hard, so she should win.
advice → should / ought to not a good idea → shouldn’t I expect → should keep “to” → ought to

💡 They left early, so they should be home by now. (= I expect they are home)

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Remembershould / ought to = the right thing to do or good advice · shouldn’t = not a good idea · keep to after ought (ought to do) · should can also mean “I expect” (The train should arrive soon). Quick check: You should apologise (advice) is softer than You must apologise (no choice).

Made with care for English learners · allenglish4u.com
Original practice material inspired by the English Grammar in Use syllabus (Cambridge University Press). Example sentences and exercises are written by All English 4U.