Future and Modals : Unit 27, Should

Should + base form (should do / should write, etc.) :

I/we/you/they He/she/it

Should Shouldn’t

do go stop write

A.      (Someone) should do something = It is a good thing to do or the right thing to do :

-          Tom should go to bed earlier. He usually goes to bed very late, and he’s
always tired.

-          It’s a good movie. You should go and see it.

-          When you play tennis, you should always watch the ball

-          When way should we go? Left or right.

B.      Shouldn’t (or should not) = It’s not a good thing to do or it’s not the right thing to do :

-          Tom shouldn’t go to bed so late.

-          You work all the time. You shouldn’t work so hard.

C.      We often use think with should :

I think . . . should . . . :

-          I think Ann should buy some some new clothes.
(= I think it’s a good idea.)

-          It’s late. I think we should go home now.

-          “Should I buy this coat?”    “Yes, I think.”
you Should.

I don’t think . . . should . . . :

-          I don’t think you should work so hard.
(= I don’t think it’s a good idea.)

-          I don’t think the police should carry guns.

Do you think . . . should . . . ? :

-          Do you think I should buy this jacket?

-          What time do you think we should go home?

D.      ought
ought to = should :

-          I ought to go home now. (= I should go home know.)

-          It’s a good movie. You ought to see it. (= You should see it.)

Remember that we say “ought to do” (with to), but “should do” (without to) :

-          Ann ought to buy some new clothes. (not “Ann ought buy”)