Should and shouldn’t

  • A2 · Elementary
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Advice with should and shouldn't (You should talk to him. You shouldn't wait any longer.), and asking for advice with Should I…? and What should I do? From three letters to an advice column to the student hosting a radio advice show.

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shouldshouldn'tShould I…?

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: Ask LarissaReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find should and shouldn’tGrammar exercise
  6. 6How should worksGrammar rule
  7. 7Good idea or bad idea?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Tips for New YorkGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12The advice showSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: game nightGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: you are LarissaDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Who do you ask for advice: your family, your friends or the internet?
  2. What good advice did your parents give you?
  3. A friend of yours is tired all the time. What can they do?

Grammar rule

How should works

should / shouldn't + verb

Example
PositiveYou should visit the old town. She should join a choir.
NegativeWe shouldn't park here. (shouldn't = should not)
QuestionShould we book a table? — Yes, you should. / No, you shouldn't.
Wh- questionWhere should we meet? What should I tell my boss?

Use: advice and opinions. should = it is a good idea; shouldn't = it is a bad idea. It is not a rule: the person can still choose. To ask for advice, say Should I…? or What should I do?

Softer: I think you should… · I don't think you should… (more common than I think you shouldn't…): I don't think you should go alone.

should is the same for every person: I should, she should, they should (not she shoulds). After should comes the verb with no to, no -s and no -ing: not You should to call, not He should calls. No do: not Do I should…? or You don't should…, but Should I…? and You shouldn't….
The l in should is silent: it rhymes with good.

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