Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 34 · B2

should 2

Should after insist, suggest, recommend, demand and it's essential that; the subjunctive that can replace it; suggest without to; should after surprised and strange; if something should happen; and I should for advice.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 27 minutes

In this lesson

should after insist, demand, recommend, suggest, proposeA1 screen of questions
Leaving should out: the subjunctiveB1 screen of questions
suggest: never suggest somebody to doC3 screens of questions
should after strange, odd, typical, surprisedD2 screens of questions
if something should happen; should something happenE2 screens of questions
I should ... for adviceF1 screen of questions

Point A of 6

should after insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose

Should can follow insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose, and also it's important, vital, necessary, essential that ...

  • I insisted that he should pay for the window.
  • Dentists recommend that everyone should floss daily.
  • What do you recommend I should say to her?
  • Parents are insisting that the crossing should be made safer.
  • It's essential that everyone should arrive by nine.

Point A · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with should and the verb in brackets.

  1. The doctor recommended that I more water. (drink)

  2. It's important that everyone on time. (arrive)

  3. I insisted that he for the damage. (pay)

Point B of 6

Leaving should out: the subjunctive

In all the sentences in section A you may leave out should. The verb that remains (be, do, pay) is the subjunctive, which looks exactly like the infinitive without to. It sounds formal, and it is.

Normal present and past forms are also possible.

  • It's essential that everyone be here by nine.
  • I insisted that he pay for the window.
  • What do you suggest we do?
  • Parents are insisting that the crossing be made safer.
  • It's essential that everyone is here by nine.
  • I insisted that he paid for the window.

Point B · Extra practice

Write each verb in the subjunctive form, without should.

  1. It's essential that everyone here by nine. (be)

  2. What do you suggest we ? (do)

  3. The residents demanded that the road closed. (be)

Point C of 6

suggest: never suggest somebody to do

suggest is never followed by to .... What do you suggest us to do? and She suggested me to go are both wrong.

-ing is another option after suggest (What do you suggest doing?). Unit 53 has more.

  • What do you recommend I should say to her?
  • What do you suggest we do?
  • Lou came into some money. I suggested that she should put it towards a deposit.
  • I suggested that she put it towards a deposit. (not I suggested her to put)
  • I suggested that she put it towards a deposit. She bought a jet ski.

Point C · Exercise 34.1

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. Example

    "You'd be wise to drink less coffee," the nurse told me. The nurse recommended that I should drink less coffee.

    AnswerThe nurse recommended that I should drink less coffee.

  2. "Go on, you must try my lemon tart," Gran told me. Gran insisted that .

  3. "How about visiting the old harbour this afternoon?" I asked them. I suggested that .

  4. "The rent must be paid by the first of the month," the agent told us. The agent demanded that .

  5. "Let's go bowling," Kieran said to me. Kieran suggested that .

Point C · Exercise 34.2 · part 1 of 2

Two of these sentences are wrong. Write OK for the correct ones and correct the two that are wrong.

  1. Example

    Mum suggested that I apply for the job at the library.

    OK

    AnswerMum suggested that I apply for the job at the library.

  2. I rang Abbie and suggested that we meet for lunch.

  3. What do you recommend me to say?

  4. What sort of laptop do you suggest I should buy?

  5. I suggest you to watch this series.

Point C · Exercise 34.2 · part 2 of 2

Two of these sentences are wrong. Write OK for the correct ones and correct the two that are wrong.

  1. I suggested that Owen take some time off.

Point D of 6

should after strange, odd, typical, surprised

should can come after certain adjectives, notably odd, strange, funny, natural, typical, interesting, surprising, surprised.

  • It's odd that she should be late. She's never late.
  • I was surprised that he should speak to his own mother like that.

Point D · Exercise 34.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with should and one of these verbs: ask, be, be done, leave, say, vote, worry.

Use these

askbebe doneleavesayvoteworry

  1. Example

    It's odd that she should be late. She's never late.

    AnswerIt's odd that she should be late. She's never late.

  2. How odd that you ring just now. I was about to call you.

  3. It's only natural that grandparents about their grandchildren.

  4. Isn't it typical of Gaz that he without saying goodbye?

  5. I was amazed that she me to sing at the wedding. I can't hold a tune.

Point D · Exercise 34.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with should and one of these verbs: ask, be, be done, leave, say, vote, worry.

Use these

askbebe doneleavesayvoteworry

  1. It's a free election, and it's important that you .

  2. The sea wall is crumbling. It's vital that the work before the winter storms.

Point E of 6

if something should happen; should something happen

If something should happen means the same as if something happens, but the speaker thinks it less likely. You can also begin with should, which is formal and favoured by people who write letters from councils.

  • All our courses are full this term, but if a place should become free, we'll contact you.
  • Should the situation change, we will write to you.

Point E · Exercise 34.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with If ... should ... . In 5 to 8, write the same sentences beginning with Should ... .

Use these

anyone / askthe situation / changeit / rainthere / any problems

  1. Example

    All our courses are full this term. If a place should become free, we'll contact you.

    AnswerAll our courses are full this term. If a place should become free, we'll contact you.

  2. Example

    Should a place become free, we'll contact you.

    AnswerShould a place become free, we'll contact you.

  3. I've left the cushions out on the patio. If , could you bring them in?

  4. I'm sure it will all go smoothly. If , I'm sure we'll sort them out.

  5. I'd rather keep my plans quiet. If where I am, say you don't know.

  6. , could you bring the cushions in?

Point E · Exercise 34.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with If ... should ... . In 5 to 8, write the same sentences beginning with Should ... .

Use these

anyone / askthe situation / changeit / rainthere / any problems

  1. , I'm sure we'll sort them out.

  2. where I've gone, say you've no idea.

Point F of 6

I should ... for advice

I should and I shouldn't can give advice. Here I should means I would, if I were you.

  • "Shall I go now?" "No, I should wait a bit."
  • "I'm going out. Is it cold?" "Yes, I should take a coat."
  • I shouldn't stay up too late. You've got an early start tomorrow.

Point F · Exercise 34.5

Complete the answers with I should and one of these verbs: call, get, keep, wait.

Use these

callgetkeepwait

  1. Example

    "Shall I go now?" "No, I should wait a bit."

    Answer"Shall I go now?" "No, I should wait a bit."

  2. "Shall I chuck these receipts out?" "No, them. You might need them."

  3. "Shall I go round and see Debbie?" "Yes, but her first."

  4. "Is it worth getting this printer mended?" "No, a new one."

Lesson 34 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: I'd better ... it's time ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. should after insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose–Not checkedB. Leaving should out: the subjunctive–Not checkedC. suggest: never suggest somebody to do–Not checkedD. should after strange, odd, typical, surprised–Not checkedE. if something should happen; should something happen–Not checkedF. I should ... for advice–Not checked