The uses of "should and shouldn't" with some practice sentences.

Question

For review of should & shouldn't or for those beginning to learn English.

The following will be discussed.

-- 1 -- When to use should and shouldn't.
-- 2 -- How to use should and shouldn't.
-- 3 -- Practice sentences. Fill-in-the-blank.

Please note: If you find the contraction "shouldn't" difficult to use, it is perfectly good grammar to use "should not".

We use should and shouldn't to give advice or to talk about what we think is right or wrong.

You should means something like I think it is a good idea for you to do it.

You shouldn't means something like I think it is a bad idea for you to do it.

Should is used to express the opinion of a speaker and often follows I think or I don't think.

Examples:

You look tired. I think you should take a few days off.

Alice works very long hours. She should talk to her boss.

I have an English test tomorrow. I shouldn't worry if I were you.

I never have enough money. I don't think you should go out so much.

Quick Grammar Note: -- To give advice to someone you can also say:

I should do it.

I shouldn't be so rude.

When you regret not doing something in the past, you can say:

I shouldn't have spoken to him like that.
I should have apologized earlier.

Practice: Indicate should or shouldn't for each sentence or question.

--1 -- You ____________________be so selfish.

-- 2 -- I don't think you ____________________ smoke so much.

-- 3 -- You ____________________ exercise more.

-- 4 -- I think you ____________________ try to speak to her.

-- 5 -- You are overweight. You ____________________ go on a diet.

-- 6 -- Where ____________________ we park our car?

-- 7 -- You ____________________ never speak to your mother like this.

-- 8 -- The kids ____________________ spend so much time in front of the TV.

-- 9 -- ____________________ I tell her the truth or should I say nothing?

-- 10 -- I think we ____________________ reserve our holiday in advance.

I will provide the answers in your personal messages or here. I'll wait a few days for members to see this.

This is cool bandit - Ranman, May 20, 2012

Good worksheet. I'd change the word "holiday" in #10 to "room" or "hotel room". The sentence, as it now appears, seems a little awkward. - Esteban3304, May 20, 2012

Great excercise, Bandit. - iana01, May 20, 2012

Excellent Bandit. I'm sure this practice exercise will be helpful to many of our members. - Nilda-Ballardo, May 20, 2012

Please note: Holiday is being used in #10 in the sense of "time off of work" - bandit51jd, May 20, 2012

Good one Bandit! - pacofinkler, May 20, 2012

Answer 1

1) shouldn´t, 2) should, 3)should, 4)should / shouldn´t (it could be possible to use both, I think it depends on context), 5) should, 6) should, 7)should, 8) shouldn´t, 9) should, 10) should.

Thanks, Bandit for this excercise. : )

Answer 2

bump

Thanks, paco! It's been a busy day! Did you have a chance to relax! - bandit51jd, May 21, 2012