Modal Verbs for Advice Modal Verbs are used to give advice or suggestions. There are two modal verbs used for advice: Should and Would.
Should Should is used for advice in the present. The structure is as follows: Subject + Should + Base Verb You should eat healthy food. • You should exercise every day. •
Should is used for advice in the past. Here is the structure: Should + Have + Past Participle You should have gone to the party. • She should have studied more often. •
It is common to use "should" to give negative advice. In this case, add "not". You should not smoke. • You should not eat too much candy. •
The contraction is "shouldn't".
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You shouldn't drive too fast.
Would The modal verb "would" is used to give advice. In this situation, the speaker is giving hypothetical advice as if he/she were the listener. Here are some examples: If I were you, I would return the book. • If I were you, I would not wear that jacket. •
It is not always necessary to include "If I were you". I wouldn't eat that. • I would choose the red shoes. •
Normally, would is used to talk about yourself, and should is used to talk about someone else. Example: I would study tonight if I were you. • You should study tonight. •
It is also common to ask for advice using these modal verbs: What should I do? • What would you do? •
Modals for Making Suggestions • • • •
Let's go for a walk in the park. Let's come home early. Let's go watch a movie. Let's not have drinks.
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Why don't we/you/I is also used in spoken English to make casual suggestions. Why don't you clean your room? • Why don't we go watch a movie? • Why don't I take the day off? Shall is also used to make suggestions. It is used to make a suggestion requesting permission or agreement. Shall is also used in formal situations. • Shall I turn off the light? • Shall we go to Malinalco and see the ruins? • Shall I open the window? Could with you/we is frequently used to make suggestions. Could shows the suggestion as being an option. • You could go watch a movie. • We could go for a walk. Should with you is used to make strong suggestions like advice. • You should find out what you missed while you were sick. • You should go home early tonight. • You should study accounting. •