Page 31 - Grasp English B1 (Grammar Book)

Workouts 5

Should/Had better

We use the modal verb should to give advice. It is the same in all subject forms, and we can also use its
negative (shouldn’t) and question forms.
e.g.
Anna I have a sore throat. What should I do?
Bill You should drink some herbal tea, and you shouldn’t have cold food.
Gwen I want to go to the bank. Should I take a taxi?
Hillary Yes, you should. The nearest one is quite far away from here.

Had better has a similar meaning to should. However, it is used for stronger advice, even warnings.
We can use had better not as the negative form of this modal verb. We don’t use had better in question forms.
e.g.
You had better stop eating so much junk food, or you will get sick.
You had better not be late for work again, or you will be fired.
Note 1 As you see in the examples above, the conjunction or and a clause with will follow the sentence.
Therefore, the speaker states the bad consequences that will happen if the other person doesn’t follow
the advice.
Note 2 Had better looks as if it is formed in the past tense, but it is used to give advice about the present or
future situations.

Ought to

Ought to has almost the same meaning as should; however, it is less commonly used.
We can use ought not to as the negative form of this modal verb. The question form of ought to is not common.
You can see the different sentence forms and example sentences in the following table:

+ I / He / They ought to
drink more water.
– I / He / They ought not to

e.g.
It is sunny today. We ought to wear sunglasses.
She ought not to be late for school this time.

A. Read the conversation and fill in the gaps with should or shouldn’t.

Mother Cindy, it is raining outside. You take an umbrella.
Daughter An umbrella? I don’t like carrying umbrellas, Mum. You know that.
Mother Alright, then. You ride your motorbike.
Daughter How can I take Barbara out? On my bicycle?
Mother You take a taxi. You might have an accident. The road is wet.
Daughter Ok, Mum, I will.

Mother One more thing. You arrive home late. You know, your dad gets angry when
you are late.
Daughter Bye, Mum. See you.
Mother Cindy!

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