1. A good thing to do: an opinion about a good decision
When you think an action is a good idea, you can use should to express that it is advisable. This evaluates an action rather than reporting that the person already performs it.
In advice, should usually leaves the listener a choice. The form itself does not make every remark tactful, however: tone and appropriateness matter too. Start from the person's actual need, not a judgement of their character.
You should save a copy of the file.
You should save a copy of the file.
A useful action is being suggested; we are not claiming the copy already exists.
I should check the address before I leave.
I should check the address before I leave.
Should can also express your own decision about what would be sensible to do.
2. After should, use the base form without to
Build an affirmative statement with a subject, should and a base verb: take, read, ask. Do not put to between should and that verb, or add -s or -ing to the verb.
This applies to the immediately following verb, not every to in the sentence. In should go to the station, to marks direction and remains. In should try to call, the construction try to call is also correct.
Subject + should + base form of the verb + rest of sentence
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
- verb / V —
- A word for an action or state, such as work or be. The pattern determines its form.
- V1 / base form —
- The base verb without to: work, go, be.
You should go to the information desk.
You should go to the information desk.
Should is followed by go; to belongs to the expression of direction.
We should try to book a table.
We should try to book a table.
Should determines the form try; the following to is required in try to book.
3. One form for everyone; be also has a base form
Should does not change with the subject: I should, she should, we should, the guests should. Add -s to neither should nor the following verb.
If advice concerns how or where to be, use be after should, not am, is or are. Similarly, use should have, not should has.
She should ask for a smaller room.
She should ask for a smaller room.
The subject she changes neither should nor ask.
We should be ready at nine.
We should be ready at nine.
In a context of preparing together, this is a recommendation; be is the base form.
He should have a copy of the map with him.
He should have a copy of the map with him.
Have means 'possess' here; this is not a construction about the past.
4. Advice, requirements and options express different intentions
Should often presents an action as recommended. Must or have to can express necessity, while could offers a possible option. But there is no universal strength scale for every situation: intention, intonation and circumstances change the meaning.
You must visit this museum can be an enthusiastic personal recommendation rather than a rule. The sentence is grammatical. When an exercise specifically requests advice with should, must does not meet the exercise's aim, but does not thereby become a grammatical error.
You should book a seat; the train is often busy.
You should book a seat; the train is often busy.
The speaker recommends a convenient way to prepare for the journey.
You must show your ticket at the gate.
You must show your ticket at the gate.
If this is an entry rule, the speaker is stating a requirement rather than giving personal advice.
You could take the bus or walk.
You could take the bus or walk.
Options are named; the speaker does not single one out as recommended.
5. Not every should expresses advice
Context determines the meaning. Should can also express an expectation or a view of proper behaviour. This lesson focuses on recommending actions now or in the future; other uses only clarify the boundaries.
Do not identify advice merely from should or a time expression such as tomorrow. Ask: 'Is someone recommending an action, or saying what is likely to happen?' Advice about tomorrow does not need will before should.
You should arrive early to get a good seat.
You should arrive early to get a good seat.
The person is advised to take an action for a particular purpose.
The parcel should arrive tomorrow.
The parcel should arrive tomorrow.
In a conversation about tracking a delivery, this is an expectation, not advice to the parcel.
People should keep their promises.
People should keep their promises.
This is a general view of proper behaviour, not just practical advice in a particular situation.
6. From a question to a useful answer
When someone asks Should I…?, they are asking for advice. You can answer with a full recommendation using should and briefly explain it. The subject depends on the role: I for yourself, you for the listener, we for a shared action.
Advice not to do something uses should not or shouldn't. Here, this is a supporting contrast; the main practice is positive recommendations. When offering an alternative to an unsuitable action, it is often more useful to name what should be done.
Should I print the form? — You should save it on your phone; a digital copy is fine.
Should I print the form? — You should save it on your phone; a digital copy is fine.
The answer addresses the question and suggests a specific, convenient action.
You should not send the unfinished draft. You should check it first.
You should not send the unfinished draft. You should check it first.
Should not discourages one action, while should suggests the next step.
7. How to formulate your own advice
First identify the need: what does the person want to do, and what is preventing it? Then suggest one manageable action. A short reason with because or a separate explanatory sentence shows the connection between the need and the recommendation.
We should is useful for a shared plan. I think can mark the advice as your opinion. There is no need to put a modal verb in every sentence: facts about the situation and reasons can be expressed in ordinary statements.
I think we should meet online because one colleague is away.
I think we should meet online because one colleague is away.
We includes the speaker in the joint decision; the reason explains the choice of format.
The instructions are not clear. You should ask the teacher for an example.
The instructions are not clear. You should ask the teacher for an example.
The first sentence names the problem; the second suggests a suitable step.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:You should to open the link.
Correct:You should open the link.
After should, use the base form open without to.
Incorrect:She shoulds bring a notebook.
Correct:She should bring a notebook.
Should does not take -s, even with she.
Incorrect:He should reads the instructions.
Correct:He should read the instructions.
The next verb also takes the base form: read, not reads.
Incorrect:We should are quiet in the library.
Correct:We should be quiet in the library.
After should, the base form be replaces the finite form are.