CONTENT
  1. Advice
  2. Obligation

Modal verbs in English grammar express the ability, permission, obligation, possibility, etc. Modal verbs only have one form, meaning that they are used in simple present and don't have past simple and past participle forms.

However, some modal verbs can have alternative forms which can be used in different tenses.

Example

Explanation

You should read for at least 15 minutes per day.

Should is used to give advice in this example.

You shouldn't drink your tea with so much sugar.

Shouldn't is used to make a suggestion.

Advice

Rule 1: We can use should to give advice and make suggestions to do something or express that something is a good idea.

Example

Explanation

You should try this dessert, it is so delicious!

Should is used to express that having that particular dessert is a great idea.

Rule 2: We can use shouldn't, which is the contraction of should + not, to give advice and make suggestions not to do something or express that something is not a good idea.

Example

Explanation

This dessert is too sweet, you shouldn't even try it.

Shouldn't is used to give advice not to try this particular dessert because it's too sweet.

Rule 3: We can use should + have + past participle to make suggestions about something that has already happened in the past.

Example

Explanation

We shouldn't have drunk coffee before going to bed.

Shouldn't have drunk is used to speculate that drinking coffee before bed wasn't a good idea.

Obligation

Rule 4: We can use should in the meaning of be supposed to or be expected to to give orders or advice but not in a strong way.

Example

Explanation

You should study harder.

Should is used to express an obligation but in a weaker way than must, for example.

Note: We can use ought to/ought not to instead of should/shouldn't. There is no difference between them, although ought to is less common and more formal than should.

Example

Explanation

You ought to study harder.

Ought to is used as an alternative form of should.

Quiz

1/4

Choose the correct modal verb: You ___ turn off notifications when you're at the cinema.

0

correct answers.