| A |
You should do something = it is a good thing to do or the right thing to do. You can use should to give advice or to give an opinion:
- You look tired. You should go to bed.
- The government should do more to improve education.
- 'Should we invite Stephanie to the party?' 'Yes, I think we should.'
We often use should with I think / I don't think / Do you think ... ?:
- I think the government should do more to improve education.
- I don't think you should work so hard.
- 'Do you think I should apply for this job?' 'Yes, I think you should.'
You shouldn't do something = it isn't a good thing to do:
- You shouldn't believe everything you read in the newspapers.
Should is not as strong as must or have to:
- You should apologise. (= it would be a good thing to do)
- You must apologise. / You have to apologise. (= you have no alternative)
|
| B |
You can use should when something is not right or what you expect:
- Where's Tina? She should be here by now.
(= she isn't here yet, and this is not normal)
- The price on this packet is wrong. It should be £2.50, not £3.50.
- That man on the motorbike should be wearing a helmet.
We also use should to say that we expect something to happen:
- Helen has been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass.
(= I expect her to pass)
- There are plenty of hotels in the town. It shouldn't be hard to find a place to stay.
(= I don't expect it to be hard)
|
| C |
You should have done something = you didn't do it, but it would have been the right thing to do:
- You missed a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn't you?
(= you didn't come, but it would have been good to come)
- I wonder why they're so late. They should have got here long ago.
You shouldn't have done something = you did it, but it was the wrong thing to do:
- I'm feeling sick. I shouldn't have eaten so much. (= I ate too much)
- She shouldn't have been listening to our conversation. It was private.
(= she was listening)
Compare should (do) and should have (done):
- You look tired. You should go to bed now.
- You went to bed very late last night. You should have gone to bed earlier.
|
| D |
Ought to ...
You can use ought to instead of should in the sentences on this page. We say 'ought to do' (with to):
- Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (= Do you think I should apply ... ?)
- Jack ought not to go to bed so late. (= Jack shouldn't go ... )
- It was a great party last night. You ought to have come.
- Helen has been studying hard for the exam, so she ought to pass.
|
