subject + should + base verbUse should before the base verb. Do not add to, -s, or past forms after should.
Advice and Suggestion
A2Use should or ought to for advice, and Why not ... ? for friendly suggestions. After all three patterns, use the base verb.
What you'll learn
- Give advice with should + base verb.
- Give advice with ought to + base verb.
- Warn against an action with shouldn't or ought not to.
- Make a friendly suggestion with Why not ... ?
- Choose the form that matches advice or suggestion.
Structure
subject + ought to + base verbKeep to after ought. The main verb after to stays in its base form.
subject + shouldn't / ought not to + base verbFor negative advice, use shouldn't + base verb or ought not to + base verb.
Why not + base verb + ?This pattern offers a suggestion. It is not a question about reasons.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Youshouldrest
You should rest today.
Use should + base verb for advice.
When to use
Health and comfort
Give advice when someone feels sick, tired, or stressed. You should rest. You ought to drink water.
Problems and decisions
Use advice forms when someone has a problem or must choose. You should talk to Lisa. You ought to check the price first.
Friendly ideas
Use Why not ... ? to offer an idea for now or next. Why not take a break? Why not ask Tom?
Markers
tiredsickstressedproblemWhat should I do?need help
In contrast
vs had-better
Should and ought to give advice. Had better is stronger and often warns about a bad result: You'd better leave now.
Common mistakes
Wrong
You should to rest today.
Correct
You should rest today.
Should goes directly before the base verb. Do not add to.
Wrong
You ought call Anna.
Correct
You ought to call Anna.
Ought needs to before the main verb.
Wrong
You don't should drive now.
Correct
You shouldn't drive now.
Negative advice with should uses shouldn't, not don't should.
Wrong
Why not to try the blue one?
Correct
Why not try the blue one?
After Why not, use the base verb without to.
Common misconceptions
❝ Should is the same as a direct order. ❞
Should gives advice or an opinion about the best action. It is softer than a direct command.
❝ Why not always asks for a reason. ❞
In this pattern, Why not + verb gives a suggestion: Why not call Maria? It offers an idea.
Skills in this rule (6)
SHOULD_FOR_ADVICEw5Use should to give advice
Use should + base verb when you tell someone the good or sensible thing to do. It gives advice, not a strong order.
OUGHT_TO_FOR_ADVICEw4Use ought to to give advice
Use ought to + base verb for advice with the same basic meaning as should. Keep to after ought.
NEGATIVE_ADVICEw5Use shouldn't and ought not to for advice against an action
Use shouldn't + base verb or ought not to + base verb when you tell someone not to do something. The verb stays in base form.
WHY_NOT_FOR_SUGGESTIONw4Use Why not ... ? to make a suggestion
Use Why not + base verb to suggest an idea in a friendly way. It asks for a possible action, not for a reason.
CHOOSE_BETWEEN_ADVICE_AND_SUGGESTIONw4Choose should, ought to, or Why not based on the message
Use should or ought to when giving advice, and use Why not when offering an idea. Choose the form that matches the speaker's purpose.
MARKERS_FOR_ADVICEw2Recognize common advice situations
Words like tired, sick, stressed, problem, and what should I do often signal advice or suggestions. They show that someone needs help or an idea.