Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 33 · B1

should 1

Use should for advice and opinion, for what is expected or not as it ought to be, and should have (done) for the right thing that was not done; ought to can replace should throughout.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 27 minutes

In this lesson

should: the right thing to doA2 screens of questions
should: what we expectB2 screens of questions
should have (done) and shouldn't have (done)C4 screens of questions
ought toD1 screen of questions

Point A of 4

should: the right thing to do

You should do something = doing it would be wise or right. should is how we give advice or an opinion.

You shouldn't do something = doing it would be unwise or wrong.

should often sits after I think / I don't think / Do you think ... ?

should is softer than must or have to:

Sentence Strength
You should say sorry. it would be a good thing to do
You must say sorry. / You have to say sorry. you have no alternative
  • You've been coughing all week. You should see a doctor.
  • The council should do more to fix the potholes.
  • "Should we ask Rhys to the wedding?" "Yes, I think we should."
  • That boy on the scooter should be wearing a helmet.
  • You shouldn't trust everything you see online.
  • I don't think you should lend him any more money.
  • "Do you think I should take the job in Leeds?" "Yes, I think you should."

Point A · Exercise 33.1 · part 1 of 2

For each situation, write a sentence with should or shouldn't and one of these phrases.

Use these

take a few days offdrink so much coffeeask for a pay risewrite it downbe so hard on herselfget some brighter curtains

  1. Example

    Jess is completely worn out. (She ...)

    She should take a few days off.

    AnswerShe should take a few days off.

  2. You've had the same salary for five years. (You ...)

  3. Liam can never get to sleep at night. (He ...)

  4. What a brilliant idea for a song! (You ...)

  5. Megan always thinks her work isn't good enough. (She ...)

Point A · Exercise 33.1 · part 2 of 2

For each situation, write a sentence with should or shouldn't and one of these phrases.

Use these

take a few days offdrink so much coffeeask for a pay risewrite it downbe so hard on herselfget some brighter curtains

  1. Ahmed's front room is dark and gloomy. (He ...)

Point B of 4

should: what we expect

should also flags something that is not right, or not as it ought to be.

And it can express an expectation: this is what we think will happen.

  • Where's Kieran? He should be here by now. (= he's late, which isn't like him)
  • This receipt is wrong. It should say £4.20, not £14.20.
  • Lucy has revised for weeks, so she should do well. (= I expect her to)
  • There are three cash machines in the village. Getting money out shouldn't be a problem. (= I expect it to be easy)

Point B · Exercise 33.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box.

Use these

should get the jobshould be here soonshould be working properlyshould receiveshouldn't take longshould be much mildershouldn't cost moreshould fix

  1. Example

    Imran is the best candidate by a mile, so he should get the job.

    AnswerImran is the best candidate by a mile, so he should get the job.

  2. The removal van left the depot an hour ago. It .

  3. The boiler has just been serviced. It now.

  4. I posted the tickets on Monday, so you them by Thursday.

  5. You can walk to the station from here. It . About ten minutes.

Point B · Exercise 33.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Choose from the box.

Use these

should get the jobshould be here soonshould be working properlyshould receiveshouldn't take longshould be much mildershouldn't cost moreshould fix

  1. This frost is unusual for April. It at this time of year.

  2. The cheapest way to get to Bath is by train. It than fifteen pounds.

  3. If the internet keeps dropping, switch the router off and on again. That the problem.

Point C of 4

should have (done) and shouldn't have (done)

You should have done something = you didn't do it, and that was a pity, because it was the sensible thing.

You shouldn't have done something = you did it, and it was a mistake.

should (do) should have (done)
You look shattered. You should go to bed now. You stayed up till two. You should have gone to bed earlier.
  • The fireworks were amazing. You should have come. What happened? (= you missed them, and that's a shame)
  • I wonder where they've got to. They should have arrived an hour ago.
  • I feel awful. I shouldn't have had that second kebab. (= I had it)
  • He shouldn't have been reading my diary. It's private. (= he was reading it)

Point C · Exercise 33.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use should ... or should have ... + the verb in brackets.

  1. Example

    You've got a temperature. You should go to bed. (go)

    AnswerYou've got a temperature. You should go to bed.

  2. Example

    The quiz night was brilliant. You should have come with us. (come)

    AnswerThe quiz night was brilliant. You should have come with us.

  3. I've been offered two jobs. Which one do you think I ? (take)

  4. I wish I'd listened to you. I what you said. (do)

  5. We lost on penalties, but we played much better. We . (win)

  6. We hardly ever see you. You round more often. (come)

Point C · Exercise 33.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use should ... or should have ... + the verb in brackets.

  1. We missed the turning and ended up in Doncaster. We left at the roundabout. (turn)

  2. My driving test was a disaster. I more. (practise)

Point C · Exercise 33.4 · part 1 of 2

Read the situations and write sentences with should, should have, shouldn't or shouldn't have.

  1. Example

    I've got a headache. I drank too much wine. (I ...)

    I shouldn't have drunk so much wine.

    AnswerI shouldn't have drunk so much wine.

  2. When we got to the cinema, the film was sold out. We hadn't booked. (We ...)

  3. Nadia gave me her number, but I didn't save it. Now I can't ring her. (I ...)

  4. The post office opens at nine. It's quarter past nine now, but the shutters are still down. (It ...)

  5. I was texting. I wasn't watching where I was going and I tripped over a bollard. (I ...)

Point C · Exercise 33.4 · part 2 of 2

Read the situations and write sentences with should, should have, shouldn't or shouldn't have.

  1. Tom is driving through the village. The speed limit is twenty, but he is doing forty. (He ...)

  2. I had a heavy cold, but I went swimming anyway. Big mistake: now I feel terrible. (I ...)

  3. On Saturday, Wales play a team that has lost every match this season. Wales are much stronger. (Wales ...)

  4. I was cycling behind a van. It stopped dead in the middle of the road and I crashed into it. (The van driver ...)

Point D of 4

ought to

You can use ought to instead of should in all the sentences on this page. Note the to: we say ought to do.

  • Do you think I ought to take the job in Leeds? (= Do you think I should take ... ?)
  • Ben ought not to drive when he's this tired. (= Ben shouldn't drive ...)
  • The fireworks were amazing. You ought to have been there. (= You should have been there.)

Point D · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with ought to or ought not to.

  1. You see a doctor about that cough.

  2. He's very tired. He drive tonight.

  3. The party was brilliant. You have come.

Lesson 33 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: should 2Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. should: the right thing to do–Not checkedB. should: what we expect–Not checkedC. should have (done) and shouldn't have (done)–Not checkedD. ought to–Not checked