Should and Should Not: How to Give Advice and Recommendations in English 💡

When someone has a problem, we want to help. When we see someone making a mistake, we want to say something. The verb should is the most natural way to give advice in English - it says 'this is a good idea' without being too strong or bossy. 🎯

1. Form: simple and the same for everyone 📋

Should is a modal verb, so the rules are simple:

Form	Structure	Example
Positive	should + infinitive	You should drink more water. ✅
Negative	should not + infinitive	You should not eat so much sugar. ✅
Question	Should + subject + infinitive	Should I call him? ✅

Important modal verb rules: no -s for he/she/it, no do/does in negatives or questions, always followed by the infinitive without to:

• She should rest. ✅ (not: she shoulds rest / she should to rest)
• He should not drive so fast. ✅ (not: he doesn't should drive)

2. When to use should 💡

Use	Example
Giving advice to someone	You look tired. You should go to bed earlier. ✅
Saying what is the right or sensible thing to do	People should recycle more. ✅
Asking for advice or an opinion	Should I accept the job offer? What do you think? ✅
Saying something is a bad idea	You should not send that email when you are angry. ✅

3. Should vs must vs have to 📊

Verb	Strength	Example
must / have to	Strong - obligation, no real choice	You must wear a seatbelt. (it is the law)
should	Medium - advice, it is a good idea	You should wear a coat. (it is cold)
could	Gentle - a possible option	You could try talking to him first.

4. Common mistakes ⚠️

✅ Correct	❌ Wrong
She should rest.	She shoulds rest. (no -s on modals)
You should eat less.	You should to eat less. (no to after should)
He should not do that.	He doesn't should do that. (no does in negatives)
Should I stay?	Do I should stay? (no do in questions)

Good advice can change everything - now you can give it in English! 🚀