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dvice with Should/Shouldn't

When giving or asking for advice in English, the modal verbs "should" and "shouldn't"
are essential. They are used to express recommendations, obligations, and
prohibitions. Here's a quick guide to using them effectively:

 Advice: Use "should" to suggest what is advisable or beneficial. For example,

"You should see a doctor if you feel sick."

 Advice against: Use "shouldn't" to advise against or warn someone about

doing something that is not recommended. For example, "You shouldn't eat too
much junk food."

 Questions: Use "should" to ask for advice or suggestions. For example, "Should
I call the doctor?"

 Remember, "should" is used to express the opinion of the speaker, while

"shouldn't" is used to express a negative opinion. Always remember to use the
correct form based on the context and the advice being given or received.

El verbo modal «should» significa «deber» o «debería» en español. Su forma negativa

es «shouldn’t» o «should not», y su significado es «no deber». Veamos dos ejemplos:

 You should listen to rock music more often. / Deberías escuchar música rock
con más frecuencia.

 He shouldn’t spend too much money on clothes. / Él no debería gastar

demasiado dinero en ropa.
To give advice using "could," "should," "have to," and "had better," consider
the following:

 Could: Use "could" to give a suggestion, indicating an option or idea without

judgment. Example: "You could try this new restaurant; I heard it’s good."

 Should: Use "should" for a stronger recommendation, suggesting something is

a good idea. Example: "You should drink more water; it’s good for your health."

 Have to: Use "have to" when something is necessary or there is no choice,
indicating a requirement. Example: "You have to wear a seatbelt in the car."

 Had better: Use "had better" for a warning or advice about avoiding something
bad. Example: "You had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train."
These modal verbs help express different levels of advice and obligation in
English.
The phrase "had better" is used to give strong advice or recommendations, often
implying that if the advice is not followed, negative consequences may follow.

 Structure: It is typically used in the following forms:

 Affirmative: Subject + had better + base form verb (e.g., "You had better study
for the exam.")

 Negative: Subject + had better not + base form verb (e.g., "You had better not
miss the meeting.")

 Examples:

 "You had better call me after work." (If you don't call me, there will be negative
consequences.)

 "We had better leave now if we want to catch the train." (If we don't leave, we
might miss the train.)

 Contractions: In informal contexts, "had better" is often shortened to "d

better".

This phrase is particularly useful for conveying warnings or recommendations in a

more urgent manner
The phrase "had better" is used to give strong advice, often implying a warning
about negative consequences if the advice is not followed. Here are some key points
about its usage:

 Structure: It is followed by the base form of the verb without "to" (e.g., "You
had better not leave early").

 Formal vs. Informal: "Had better" is stronger than "should" or "ought to," and
is often used in more direct contexts.

 Negative Form: The negative form is "had better not," which indicates a
prohibition (e.g., "You had better not forget your meeting").

 Context: It is typically used in present or future contexts, not in the past.

For example, "You had better not drive recklessly" suggests that if someone drives
dangerously, they may face serious consequences
1. Could (Suggestion)
 Use “could” to give a suggestion. It’s a light, polite way to give advice. It
doesn’t sound strong, and it leaves the decision up to the [Link]:

 You could go for a walk if you want to relax.

 You could try this new restaurant; I heard it’s good.
 Meaning: It’s an option or idea, but not necessary.
2. Should (Stronger Advice)

 Use “should” when you think something is a good idea or the right thing to
do. It’s stronger than “could” but still [Link]:

 You should drink more water; it’s good for your health.
 You should study tonight if you want to pass the test.
 Meaning: It’s a good idea, but it’s still up to the person to decide.
3. Have to (Necessity or Obligation)

 Use “have to” when something is necessary or there is no choice. It’s not just
advice, it’s more of a [Link]:

You have to wear a seatbelt in the car. (It’s the law.)

 I have to finish my homework before I can go out.
 Meaning: There is no choice. It’s required.
4. Had Better (Strong Warning or Urgent Advice)

 Use “had better” for strong advice or a warning. It’s used when something
bad might happen if you don’t follow the advice. It’s stronger than
“should.”Examples:

 You had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train.

 He had better apologize, or she will be really upset.
 Meaning: It’s very important. If you don’t do it, there could be negative
consequences.
Summary:

 Could: A light suggestion, no pressure.

 You could try this new restaurant.

 Should: Stronger advice, a good idea.

 You should eat healthier.

 Have to: It’s necessary, no choice.

 You have to go to school.

 Had better: Strong advice or warning, serious consequences.

  You had better study, or you will fail the test.

Los modal verbs of advice son un tipo de verbos modales que se utilizan
principalmente para dar o pedir consejo. Estos verbos modales son should, ought
to y had better. En español equivaldrían a debería, deberías.

You shouldn't smoke. You ought to practice more.

No deberías fumar. Deberías practicar más.

2. Estructura de los modals of advice

Should, ought to y had better tienen el mismo significado. Sin embargo, ought
to se utiliza en contextos más formales.

La estructura de los modals of advice es la siguiente:

Form Examples

You should go and see your

grandmother once a
[Link]ías ir a ver a tu abuela
una vez a la semana.
should
Subjec ought to infinitiv
AFFIRMATIVE + + With this temperature you ought
t had / 'd e
to visit the [Link] esta
better1
fiebre deberías ir al médico.

You'd better go to the

[Link]ías ir al dentista.
 Form Examples

They shouldn't take that train, it

doesn't stop in [Link]
deberían coger aquel tren, no
para en Madrid.
shouldn't
Subje ought not to2 infiniti
NEGATIVE + + You ought not to spend so much
ct had / 'd better ve
[Link] deberías gastar tanto
not1
dinero.

You'd better not do [Link]

deberías hacer eso.

INTERROGATI Should I tell him the truth?(yo)

Should +subject +infinitive?
VE ¿Debería contarle la verdad?

1
En la mayoría de casos se utiliza la forma contraída, 'd better a menos que el
contexto sea muy formal.
2
En la forma negativa ought not to es mucho más común que oughtn't to.

Para hacer preguntas habitualmente se utiliza should, aunque en contextos

formales tambien se puede utilizar ought to.

3. ¿Cómo se utilizan los modals of advice?

 Should se utiliza en este caso para expresar aquello que sería lo más correcto o
más conveniente hacer ante una situación determinada, es decir, una opinión
subjetiva.

You should buy a new bike. This one is

small.

Deberías comprarte una bici. Esta es

pequeña.
 You shouldn't drink any more.

No deberías beber más.

 Al contrario de should, que se utiliza para expresar una opinión

subjetiva, ought to se usa para expresar un punto de vista más objetivo. Esta
construcción se utiliza en contextos relacionados con leyes, obligaciones,
reglamentos, etc., y expresar lo que sería moralmente correcto o no.

He ought to behave a lot better. You ought not to plead guilty.

Debería comportarse mejor. No deberías declararte culpable.

 Had better se utiliza para dar un consejo cuando creemos que si se actúa de
manera contraría, habrán consecuencias negativas.
You'd better buy the tickets now. I'd better go or my parents will tell me
off.
Deberías comprar las entradas ahora.
Debería irme o mis padres me echarán
la bronca.

¡Recuerda!

Los modals of advice son un tipo de verbos modales que se utilizan principalmente
para dar o pedir consejo. Estos verbos modales son should, ought to y had better.
En español equivaldrían a debería, deberías...

Modal Structure Examples

He should study
+ Sujeto + should + infinitivo [Link]ía estudiar
más.

You shouldn't be angry

SHOULD
- Sujeto + shouldn't + infinitivo [Link] no
opiniones
deberías estar enfadado.
subjetivas

Should I go to the cinema

with my friends?(yo)
? Should + sujeto + infinitivo
¿Debería ir al cine con
mis amigos?
Modal Structure Examples

We ought to go out
+ Sujeto + ought to + infinitivo [Link]
OUGHT TO noche deberíamos salir.
opiniones
objetivas You ought not to call
Sujeto + ought not
- [Link]
to + infinitivo
deberías llamarlo.

HAD BETTER We'd better find a flat

Sujeto + had / 'd
consejos + [Link]íamos encontr
better + infinitivo
cuando se ar un piso pronto.
creee que
habrán You'd better not touch
consecuencias Sujeto + had / 'd better
- [Link] deberías tocar
negativas not + infinitivo
eso.