Modals of Advice and Suggestions

Form

S + should / ought to + V

S + shouldn’t + V

You should get more sleep.

We ought to leave soon.

You shouldn’t believe everything you read online.


Meanings

General Advice

We use should to give our opinion or recommend what is a good idea. It is the most common way to give advice.

If you feel sick, you should go to the doctor.


Ought to is a more formal and less common alternative to should. The meaning is the same.

We ought to respect our elders.


Practice exercises