How to Effectively Use ‘Should’ for Giving Advice and Suggestions: Tips and Tricks

Are you curious about how to make your advice sound more persuasive? Understanding the modal verb “should” is key to enhancing your communication skills. Whether you’re suggesting a new restaurant, giving work advice, or making recommendations, “should” is your go-to word. In this blog post, we’ll dive into how to use “should” and “shouldn’t” effectively to give advice and make suggestions. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to use these modal verbs with confidence.

The Basics of Using “Should”

“Should” is a modal verb, and like all modal verbs, it follows specific rules:

• No Endings: Modal verbs don’t take on endings like -s, -ed, or -ing. You’ll never see “shoulds” or “shoulded.”
• Base Form of Another Verb: They are followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., “should do,” “should be”).
• Question Formation: Questions with modal verbs are formed by inverting the subject and the modal verb (e.g., “Should you?”).

Examples:

• I should study.
• You should go.
• He/She/It should listen.
• We should start.
• They should wait.

When to Use “Should” for Advice and Suggestions

“Should” is most commonly used for giving advice or making suggestions. It helps guide others toward a recommended action or decision:

• For Recommendations:
  • “You should check out that new Italian café!”
  • “We should hurry up, or we’ll be late.”
  • “You shouldn’t mix white clothes with colored ones.”
  • “The council should repair the streetlights!”
• Expressing Duty or Responsibility:
  • “I should be attending the meeting right now.”
  • “You should be wearing your ID badge at all times.”
• Here, “should” indicates a sense of obligation or duty that isn’t being fulfilled. For example, if someone says, “I should be working,” they imply they are not currently working, even though they have a duty to do so.

Forming Questions with “Should”

Asking questions with “should” is straightforward: simply invert the subject and “should.” This structure is useful when you’re seeking advice or clarification:

• “Should we bring snacks to the event?”
• “Should I renew my subscription?”
• “When should I send the application?”
• “Where should we go for the weekend getaway?”

The Negative Form: “Shouldn’t”

To express a negative recommendation or advice, use “shouldn’t”:

• “You shouldn’t drink too much coffee.”

Using “Should” to Express Expectations

“Should” can also express an expectation without necessarily making a recommendation. In these cases, it indicates what is likely or expected to happen:

• “The train should arrive any minute now.”
• “Nina should be at work by 9 AM.”
• “The assignment shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
• “The concert tickets shouldn’t cost more than $100.”

Using “Should” in the Past Tense

The past form of “should” is used to express regret or criticize a missed opportunity. This form is created by using “should have” followed by a past participle:

• Expressing Regret:
  • “I should have prepared for the presentation.”
  • “Tom should have informed us about the change in plans.”
• Expressing Criticism:
  • “I should not have spent so much on gadgets!”
  • “Laura shouldn’t have revealed her colleague’s secret.”

In these examples, the speaker reflects on past actions and conveys a sense of regret or criticism about what did or didn’t happen.

Asking Questions in the Past with “Should”

Though less common, you can also ask questions in the past form using “should have.” This is typically done when seeking advice about a past action or decision:

• “Should I have mentioned the issue during the meeting?”
• A more natural way to ask this could be: “Do you think I should have mentioned the issue during the meeting?”

Unique Uses of “Should” in Conversation

In some conversations, “should” is used in specific, idiomatic ways. For instance, when expressing surprise at someone’s generosity or action:

• To express gratitude for a gift: “Oh, you really shouldn’t have!”

These nuanced uses show how “should” can add color and emotion to our conversations.

Ready to Master “Should”?

Understanding how to use “should” and “shouldn’t” can make your suggestions and advice more effective and engaging. Now that you’ve got a solid grasp of this versatile modal verb, why not put it into practice? Start using “should” in your daily conversations and see how it can help you communicate more clearly and persuasively.

Ready to take your language skills to the next level? Start your learning journey with Lux’Languages today by taking our free placement exam. We’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.