Simple explanation
What does should mean? Should is a modal verb. We often use it when we want to give advice or say that we think something is a good idea. For example, You should get some rest means that getting some rest is a good idea in that situation. When used for advice, should usually expresses a recommendation rather than a strong obligation. Giving positive advice with should To give positive advice, use the subject followed by should and the base form of the verb. Should does not change with the subject: I should, you should, he should, she should, we should, and they should. The main verb does not change either, so we say She should talk, not She should talks. Giving negative advice with shouldn't When you think something is not a good idea, use should not or its common short form shouldn't. The verb after shouldn't stays in the base form. For example, You shouldn't drive when you're tired advises someone not to drive in that situation. Asking for advice with should To ask whether something is a good idea, put should before the subject. Should I call him? asks for advice about one specific action. You can also use question words for more open questions, such as What should I do? or Where should we go? Advice is not the same as strong obligation At A2 level, it is useful to understand that should often expresses advice or an opinion about the best action. If someone says You should see a doctor, they are recommending that action. The sentence does not automatically express a strict rule or strong obligation.
Grammar formula
Affirmative advice
Subject + should + base verbYou should drink more water.
Negative advice
Subject + shouldn't + base verbYou shouldn't stay up so late.
Yes/no question
Should + subject + base verb + ?Should I call him?
Question with a question word
Wh-word + should + subject + base verb + ?What should we take?
Short answer
Yes, subject + should. / No, subject + shouldn't.No, you shouldn't.
Core rules
- 1
Use the base verb after should
Should is followed directly by the base form of the verb without to: You should wait. Do not say You should to wait.
- 2
Should is the same for every subject
The form should does not change with I, you, he, she, it, we, or they. The following verb does not take -s: He should study.
- 3
Use shouldn't for negative advice
Use should not or shouldn't when you want to advise someone not to do something: You shouldn't worry too much.
- 4
Put should before the subject in questions
Questions with should do not need do or does. Put should before the subject: Should we leave now?
- 5
Put question words before should
For an open question, use question word + should + subject + base verb: What should I bring?
Useful examples
You should get some rest.
Getting some rest would be a good idea for you.
Should gives a simple recommendation to someone who may be tired.
You shouldn't stay up so late.
It would be better for you not to stay awake so late.
Shouldn't advises the listener not to do something.
She should talk to her teacher about the problem.
Talking to her teacher about the problem would be a good idea.
The verb talk stays in the base form after should.
We should leave early to avoid traffic.
Leaving early would be a good idea so we can avoid traffic.
Should is used to suggest a practical action.
He shouldn't spend all his money at once.
It would be better for him not to spend all his money immediately.
This is negative advice about managing money.
Should I take an umbrella?
Do you think taking an umbrella is a good idea?
Should I ...? is a common way to ask someone for advice.
What should I wear to the party?
What do you think is a good thing for me to wear to the party?
What should I ...? asks for an open recommendation.
You should check the address before you leave.
Checking the address before leaving would be a sensible idea.
The speaker recommends an action that can prevent a problem.
They shouldn't make so much noise at night.
It would be better if they did not make so much noise at night.
Shouldn't is used to advise against inappropriate behavior.
Your brother should apply for that job.
Applying for that job would be a good idea for your brother.
Should can also be used to give advice about another person.
Should we book the tickets now?
Do you think booking the tickets now is a good idea?
Should we ...? can be used when people are deciding together what to do.
You shouldn't worry too much about one mistake.
It would be better not to worry too much about a single mistake.
Shouldn't can be used for supportive personal advice.
Common mistakes
- ❌ You should to sleep earlier. ✅ You should sleep earlier. Do not use to after should. The main verb must be in the base form.
- ❌ She should studies more. ✅ She should study more. The verb after should does not take -s, even when the subject is he or she.
- ❌ He doesn't should drive today. ✅ He shouldn't drive today. Do not use do or does to make should negative. Use should not or shouldn't.
- ❌ Do I should call him? ✅ Should I call him? To form a question, put should before the subject. Do is not needed.
- ❌ You shouldn't to eat so fast. ✅ You shouldn't eat so fast. The verb after shouldn't is also used without to.
- ❌ Should she goes home now? ✅ Should she go home now? The main verb remains in the base form in questions with should.
Learning tips
- Think of should as a recommendation: the speaker believes an action is a good or sensible idea.
- Remember the fixed pattern should + base verb. Do not put to between should and the main verb.
- Learn Should I ...? and What should I ...? as useful patterns for asking for advice in everyday conversations.
- Shouldn't is the common contracted form of should not.
- You can answer a Should I ...? question briefly with Yes, you should or No, you shouldn't.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
Do I use to after should?
No. Use the base form of the verb directly after should: You should go. You should to go is incorrect.
Does the verb take -s after should with he or she?
No. The main verb stays in the base form with every subject. Say She should work, not She should works.
What is the difference between should and shouldn't?
Should recommends an action because the speaker thinks it is a good idea. Shouldn't advises against an action because the speaker thinks it is not a good idea.
How can I ask someone for advice with should?
Use Should I ...? for a specific decision, such as Should I call her? For an open question, you can use What should I do?
Does should always express an obligation?
No. In the use covered in this lesson, should normally expresses advice or a recommendation rather than a strict obligation.
Do I use do or does with should in questions or negatives?
No. Put should before the subject in questions, as in Should he go? For negatives, use should not or shouldn't, as in He shouldn't go.