Giving Advise Using Should

Should Video

Will

We normally use WILL to speak about the future. It is always combined with another verb.

Since WILL is classified as a modal verb (like can, would, could, should) it has the same characteristics:

1. It does not change in the third person (i.e. he, she, it)
2. It is always combined with another verb in the base form (i.e. without 'to')
3. We don't use it with 'Do' in questions or negatives.

Examples of Will:

• I will go to the cinema tonight.
• He will play tennis tomorrow.
• She will be happy with her exam results.
• They will take the bus to the South next week.

 

When to use WILL

We use WILL in the following circumstances:

1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)

This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.

• I'll call a taxi for you.
• I think we'll go right now. (I just decided this right now)
• Which one? Um, I will have the chicken sandwich please.

2. When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)

This can be based on personal judgement or opinion.

• The President will not be re-elected at the next election.
• I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.
• I think you will find the movie interesting.

Notice how you often use "I think..." before the subject + will.

3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.

• You look tired. I'll finish the dishes for you.
• I will do my best to help you.
• If you say anything I will kill you!
• I will have it ready by tomorrow.
• I'll drive you to work if you want.
• Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. (won't = will not)

4. For a habit that is a predictable behaviour

• My daughter will fall asleep as soon as she is put into bed.
• He will give up if he starts losing. He always does that.

5. You use WON'T when someone refuses to do something.

• I told him to clean his room but he won't do it.
• She won't listen to anything I say.

Negative Sentences with WILL

In the negative, we add NOT to the end of WILL and not to the main verb. (= will not)

Examples:

• I will not be in the office tomorrow. (correct)
  I will be not in the office tomorrow. (Incorrect)
• They will not stay here. (correct)
  They will stay not here. (Incorrect)

Contractions

It is possible to use contractions in both positive and negative sentences.

With positive contractions WILL becomes 'LL and is joined to the subject:

	Positive Contraction		Negative Contraction
I will	I'll	I will not	I won't
You will	you'll	You will not	you won't
He will	he'll	He will not	he won't
She will	she'll	She will not	she won't
It will	it'll	It will not	it won't
We will	we'll	We will not	we won't
You will	you'll	You will not	you won't
They will	they'll	They will not	they won't

Should

SHOULD + V1, SHOULD + V-ing, SHOULD + Have V-3

Should is a modal verb.

After Should you use the base form of the infinitive (= verb without To e.g. Go instead of To Go)

Should + Verb (base form of infinitive)

e.g. You should go now (do not say: You should to go now.)

1. To give advice, a recommendation or a suggestion

This is to say that it is the right thing to do or the correct thing.

• Does your tooth still hurt? You should make an appointment with the dentist.
• I think you should study for the test so that you don't fail.
• Your hair is too long. You should get a haircut.
• You really should go to the new restaurant on Main Street.

2. Expresses that a situation is likely in the present

• Mary should be at home by now. Give her a call.
• He should have the letter by now. I sent it a couple of weeks ago.

3. Expresses that a situation is likely in the future (prediction)

• They should win the game because they are a much better team.
• I posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive this week.
• It should be fine tomorrow.

4. Expresses an obligation that is not as strong as Must.

Sometimes Should is used instead of Must to make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite. This may appear more frequently on formal notices or on information sheets.

• On hearing the fire alarm, hotel guests should leave their room immediately.
• Passengers should check in at least 2 hours before departure time.
• You should never lie to your doctor.
• You should pay more attention in class.
• You should be at work before 9.

All of the above example sentences can have must instead of should making the obligation stronger and less polite.

 

5. Was expected in the past but didn't happen (should + have + past participle)

This expresses the idea that the subject did not fulfill their obligation in the past or did not act responsibly.

• You should have given your boss the report yesterday when he asked for it.
• I should have studied more but I was too tired.

6. Not fulfilling an obligation (should + be + verb-ing)

This expresses the idea that the subject is not fulfilling their obligation or is not acting sensibly.

• You should be wearing your seatbelt. (The person isn't wearing one right now)
• We should be studying for the test. (We are not studying right now and we should)

7. Sometimes should is replaced by ought to without a change in meaning. Note that ought to sounds more formal and is used less frequently.

• You ought to study more. (= you should study more)
• He ought to go home. (= He should go home)
• They ought to stop doing that. (= They should stop doing that)

Shouldn't

We use shouldn't to advise not to do something, usually because it is bad or wrong to do.

• You shouldn't throw your litter onto the street.
• We shouldn't leave without saying goodbye.
• He shouldn't play with those wires if he doesn't know what he is doing.
• Are you tired? You shouldn't work so much.
• You shouldn't talk like that to your grandmother.