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Unit 32 · Modals, imperative etc.

should

Study

A

should + infinitive (should do / should watch etc.):

I / we / you / they should do
he / she / it shouldn't stop
go
watch etc.
B

You should do something = it is a good thing to do, it is the right thing to do:

›

Tom doesn't study enough. He should study harder.

›

It's a good film. You should go and see it.

›

When you play tennis, you should always watch the ball.

C

You shouldn't do something = it is not a good thing to do. Shouldn't = should not:

›

Tom shouldn't go to bed so late.

›

You watch TV all the time. You shouldn't watch TV so much.

D

We often say I think ... should ...

I think ... should ... :

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I think Lisa should buy some new clothes. (= I think it is a good idea.)

›

It's late. I think I should go home now.

›

A: Shall I buy this coat? B: Yes, I think you should.

I don't think ... should ... :

›

I don't think you should work so hard. (= I don't think it is a good idea.)

›

I don't think we should go yet. It's too early.

Do you think ... should ... ? :

›

Do you think I should buy this hat?

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What time do you think we should go home?

E

Must is stronger than should:

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It's a good film. You should go and see it.

›

It's a fantastic film. You must go and see it.

F

Another way to say should is ought to:

›

It's a good film. You ought to go and see it. (= you should go)

›

I think Lisa ought to buy some new clothes. (= Lisa should buy)

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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32.1

Complete the sentences. Use you should + these verbs: eat go take visit watch wear

  1. 1
    When you play tennis, the ball.example
  2. 2
    It's late and you're very tired. to bed.
  3. 3
    plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  4. 4
    If you have time, the Science Museum. It's very interesting.
  5. 5
    When you're driving, a seat belt.
  6. 6
    It's too far to walk from here to the station. a taxi.
32.2

Write about the people in the pictures. Use He/She shouldn't ... so ....

  1. 1Someone watching TV too much
    She shouldn't watch TV so much. example
  2. 2A man eating too much
    He .
  3. 3A woman working too hard
    She .
  4. 4A man driving too fast
    He .
32.3

You are not sure what to do, so you ask a friend. Write questions with Do you think I should ... ?

  1. 1
    1 You are in a shop. You are trying on a jacket. (buy?)
    You ask your friend: Do you think I should buy this jacket? example
  2. 2
    2 You can't drive. (learn?)
    You ask your friend: Do you think ?
  3. 3
    3 You don't like your job. (get another job?)
    You ask your friend: Do you think ?
  4. 4
    4 You are going to have a party. (invite Gary?)
    You ask your friend: Do you think ?
32.4

Write sentences with I think ... should ... and I don't think ... should ....

  1. 1
    1 We have to get up early tomorrow. (go home now)
    I think we should go home now. example
  2. 2
    2 That coat is too big for you. (buy it)
    I don't think you should buy it. example
  3. 3
    3 You don't need your car. (sell it)
    I think .
  4. 4
    4 Karen needs a rest. (have a holiday)
    I think .
  5. 5
    5 Sarah and Dan are too young. (get married)
    I don't think .
  6. 6
    6 You're not well this morning. (go to work)
    I don't think .
  7. 7
    7 James isn't well today. (go to the doctor)
    I think .
  8. 8
    8 The hotel is too expensive for us. (stay there)
    I don't think .
32.5

What do you think? Write sentences with should.

  1. 1
    I think everybody should learn another language. example
  2. 2
    I think everybody .
  3. 3
    I think .
  4. 4
    I don't think .
  5. 5
    I think I should .