subject + should + base verbUse should for advice. The main verb stays in the base form.
Should and Ought To
A2Use should and ought to to give advice or recommendations. Use should + base verb; use ought to + base verb.
What you'll learn
- Give advice with should and ought to.
- Build sentences with should + verb and ought to + verb.
- Say what is not a good idea with shouldn't and ought not to.
- Ask for advice with Should I... ? and similar questions.
- Choose should when you want the more common everyday form.
Structure
subject + ought to + base verbKeep to after ought. Then use the base verb.
subject + should not + base verbUse shouldn't for short negative advice.
subject + ought not to + base verbIn the negative, not comes before to: ought not to.
Should + subject + base verb + ?For everyday advice questions, should is the normal choice.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Youshouldrest
You should rest tonight.
For everyday advice, should is the most common choice.
When to use
Health advice
Talk about good choices for sleep, food, exercise, or stress. You should drink more water.
Everyday problems
Give suggestions when someone has a problem or needs a plan. You ought to talk to your manager.
Recommendations
Recommend an action you think is wise or helpful. Tom should book the tickets today.
Markers
I thinkmaybeif I were youit's a good ideait's better toWhy don't you
Common mistakes
Wrong
You should to see a doctor.
Correct
You should see a doctor.
Should goes directly before the base verb. Do not add to.
Wrong
Anna ought call her sister.
Correct
Anna ought to call her sister.
Ought needs to before the main verb.
Wrong
You ought to not eat so late.
Correct
You ought not to eat so late.
With ought, put not before to.
Wrong
I should send the email now?
Correct
Should I send the email now?
In a question, should goes before the subject.
Common misconceptions
❝ Should means the same as must. ❞
Should gives advice or a recommendation. Must is much stronger and can express a rule, duty, or strong necessity.
❝ Good English always needs ought to, not should. ❞
Both are correct for advice. In everyday English, should is more common.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_FOR_ADVICEw5Use should and ought to for advice
Use these forms to say what is a good idea, the right thing, or the sensible choice in a situation.
BUILD_WITH_BASE_VERBw5Use should and ought to with the base verb
After should, use the base verb. After ought to, keep to and then use the base verb.
NEGATIVE_SHOULDNT_OUGHT_NOT_TOw5Make negative advice with shouldn't and ought not to
Use shouldn't to say something is not a good idea. Use ought not to in the same way, keeping to after not.
QUESTIONS_WITH_SHOULD_OUGHTw4Ask for advice with should and ought
Use should at the front for questions like Should I...? Ought to questions exist, but should is the common choice for everyday advice questions.
PREFER_SHOULD_IN_EVERYDAY_USEw3Choose should as the more common everyday form
Both forms give advice, but should is more common in everyday English. Ought to sounds more formal and less frequent.