Explanation + Quiz
How to give advice using “should” in English
“Should” is used to give advice, suggest something, or say what you think is the best thing to do. It is a very common and simple way to help someone when they have a problem or need guidance.
Basic Structure:
- Subject (I, you, he, she, they, etc.) + should + base form of the verb (without “to”)
Example Sentences:
- You should study more.
(This is advice to study more.) - He should see a doctor.
(This is advice that he needs to visit a doctor.) - They should take an umbrella.
(This is advice to take an umbrella because it might rain.) - I should exercise more.
(This is advice I am giving myself to exercise more.)
How to give negative advice:
To give advice about something someone shouldn’t do, you can use “should not” or the contraction “shouldn’t.”
- You shouldn’t eat too much candy.
(This is advice to avoid eating too much candy.) - He shouldn’t stay up so late.
(This is advice to avoid staying up late.)
Examples of giving advice in real-life situations:
- Problem: Your friend is feeling tired all the time.
- Advice: You should sleep earlier.
- Problem: Someone is not sure if they should take a job offer.
- Advice: You should think about what is best for you.
- Problem: Your sibling has a headache.
- Advice: You should take some medicine.
Practice
QUIZ: Giving Advice with Should
Here’s a quiz about giving advice using should. Each question asks for the best advice for a situation, and there is only one correct answer.
1. Your friend has a cold and doesn’t feel well. What advice should you give?
a) You should go to a party.
b) You should stay home and rest.
c) You should eat lots of candy.
2. Your sibling is studying for a big test tomorrow but feels stressed. What should you say?
a) You should watch TV all night.
b) You should relax and take a break.
c) You should stop studying forever.
3. Your classmate is confused about the homework assignment. What advice do you give?
a) You should ask the teacher for help.
b) You should ignore it and hope for the best.
c) You should do nothing.
4. Someone says they are tired all the time. What advice would you give?
a) You should sleep earlier every night.
b) You should drink more soda.
c) You should play video games all night.
5. Your friend wants to lose weight. What should you say?
a) You should eat more fast food.
b) You should exercise regularly and eat healthy food.
c) You should skip breakfast every day.
6. Your coworker always arrives late to work. What advice do you give?
a) You should wake up later.
b) You should set an alarm and leave earlier.
c) You should stop coming to work.
7. A friend is thinking about quitting school because they are struggling. What advice would you give?
a) You should talk to a school counselor for advice.
b) You should quit immediately.
c) You should forget about studying.
8. Someone wants to improve their English speaking skills. What should you say?
a) You should practice every day and talk to native speakers.
b) You should never speak English again.
c) You should only watch movies in your native language.
9. Your friend doesn’t have enough money to buy something they really want. What should you say?
a) You should borrow a lot of money from everyone.
b) You should save money for a while and then buy it.
c) You should stop working.
10. Someone wants to be healthier but doesn’t know where to start. What’s your advice?
a) You should start eating more vegetables and exercising.
b) You should eat lots of junk food.
c) You should never exercise.
Answer key:
- b) You should stay home and rest.
- b) You should relax and take a break.
- a) You should ask the teacher for help.
- a) You should sleep earlier every night.
- b) You should exercise regularly and eat healthy food.
- b) You should set an alarm and leave earlier.
- a) You should talk to a school counselor for advice.
- a) You should practice every day and talk to native speakers.
- b) You should save money for a while and then buy it.
- a) You should start eating more vegetables and exercising.