One Minute Grammar

Should for Suggestions

Watch the short video to preview the grammar point for this unit.

"Should" for Suggestions

When giving advice, you can use “should” and "should not" to give suggestions.

Notice these examples:

You should visit Bali. It is really nice.

You should stay on the beach.

You should not drink the tap water.

In spoken English “should not” is usually contracted.

You shouldn’t drink the tap water.

You shouldn’t get upset over this.

The word “should,” is a modal, and it goes before a base verb. It always stays the same form.

He should try harder.

She should apply for that job.

Warning!

“Should" has other meanings, so it is not always used for suggestions.

Check out the lesson, "Should for Assumptions" for an example of another way to use it.