English 24
26th July 2003
A little bit of GRAMMAR

Hi guys
This week we gave you a few handy hints on the use of should. Here's a brief summing up:

Should
We often use should when we ask for or give advice/opinion about something, basically when we think something is a good thing to do or the right thing to do.
§ I've just finished the new Harry Potter book it's excellent! You really should read it!
§ The government really should invest more money in the National Health Service
§ Should we invite Clare to the wedding? Yes I think we should.
§ Sean coughs all the time. I really think he should give up smoking.

Shouldn't
You shouldn't do something means that it is not a good thing to do:
§ Sean, I've heard you coughing a lot recently. You shouldn't smoke.
§ Harry shouldn't drink because he's taking antibiotics.

NB should is not as strong as must:
§ You should stop smoking (it would be a good idea)
§ You must stop smoking (it is necessary that you stop)

As we were saying earlier we often use should when we give ask for or give an opinion about something, therefore you will often see should with the following:
I think/I don't think/do you think?
§ I think the government should do something about education
§ I don't think you should go out tonight
§ Do you think I should wear this dress or these trousers to the party? I think you should wear the trousers.

We also use should to say that something is not "right" or not what we expect.
§ The price on this packet of crackers is wrong. It says 80 pence but it should be 50 pence.
§ Those children shouldn't be hanging around the city centre. They should be at school.
§ That motorist should be wearing a seatbelt.

Now when we're talking about the past, we use should have (done) to say that someone did the wrong thing.
§ Hi Paul. Elisa's birthday party was fabulous! You should have come; you would have had a fantastic time!
§ What were you doing in the city centre yesterday afternoon? You should have been at school.
§ I have an upset stomach. I shouldn't have eaten so much cake.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1
In this exercise you have to give some advice to members of your family. Use should or shouldn't.
E.g. your brother smokes too much and he's always coughing. Advise him to stop smoking. Sean you should give up/stop smoking. It's really bad for your health.

1. Your sister has a bad toothache. Advise her to go to the dentist. You ____________________________
2. Your cousin is going to France on holiday. Advise him to learn a few words of French before he goes. You _______________
3. Your father wants to go to the cinema. Advise him to see the new Bond film. You ____________________________
4. Your mother wants to drive to York. Advise her to take the train. You ______

Exercise 2
This time give your opinion about something using I think/ I don't think…
E.g. Debbie has just been offered a new job. You don't think it's a good idea to accept it. I don't think Debbie should accept the new job.

1. You think it's a really good idea for all motorcyclists to wear helmets. I think ______________________________
2. You think it would be a terrible idea for Vicky to marry Matteo. I _________________
3. You think it would be a bad idea to travel in the blizzard. I ________.
4. You think it would be better to stop for lunch during the journey rather than travelling for 5 hours non-stop. ________________

Exercise 3
After reading the following situations, write sentences with should (have) and shouldn't (have). Sometimes you will need to use the present; sometimes you will need to use the past.
E.g.
§ The speed limit in this part of town is 20 miles an hour. Jack is driving at 40 mph. (miles per hour) Jack shouldn't be driving so fast.
§ When we got to the hotel there were no vacancies. We hadn't booked a room. We should have booked a room.

1. We went for a walk in the woods. We'd been walking for a couple of hours when we became thirsty, but we hadn't brought anything to drink. We said: We ___________________
2. When I found out that my friend had come to Milan without coming to see me, I said: You _________________
3. My sister went out last night without her umbrella. There was a terrible downpour and she came home soaking wet. I said: You ______
4. Jamie was involved in a car accident last night. It was his fault as he was driving over the speed limit. He said: I

Answers

Exercise 1
1. You should go to the dentist.
2. You should learn some French before you go on holiday.
3. You should go and see the new Bond film, it's really good.
4. You really should take the train, it's much quicker.

Exercise 2
1. I think all motorcyclists should wear helmets.
2. I don't think Vicky should marry Matteo
3. I don't think we should travel during the blizzard.
4. I think we should stop for lunch during our journey.

Exercise 3
1. We should have brought something to drink.
2. You should have come to see me.
3. You should have taken your umbrella with you.
4. I shouldn't have been driving so fast.