MyLeoNes™

Should for advice — Foreign languages, 7–10

You learn to suggest a sensible action with “should” and to say that something is probably a good idea, not a strict rule.

A helpful suggestion

Should is a small word for advice. “You should wear a coat” means a coat seems like a sensible choice, while “You must wear a coat” sounds like a rule. The pattern is you should + the base verb, so say “should go”, not “should to go” or “should goes”.

Why advice needs a middle choice

Real life is not only “allowed” or “forbidden”. Someone may feel tired, lose a glove or be unsure what to practise, without any official rule deciding the answer. Should gives a useful middle choice: you can recommend an action while leaving the final decision to the other person.

A rainy walk

Leo wants to walk to the library, but dark clouds are gathering. First, name the person: “You”. Next, add should: “You should…”. Add the base verb and reason: “You should take an umbrella because it may rain.” The advice is strong enough to help, but Leo can still choose.

Not a command

A common mistake is treating should like must. If a friend says “You should rest”, that is advice, not proof that resting is compulsory. Another mistake is adding “to”: “You should to rest”. The correct form is “You should rest”; should already does the grammar work.

Giving useful advice

You hear and use should when talking about sleep, sport, homework, safety and plans. “You should charge your phone” can be helpful before a journey; “You shouldn’t touch that wire” warns about danger. The word fits situations where a reason matters, but there is not always a strict rule.

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