Giving advice and suggestions (using 'should')

This guide explains how to use the modal verb "should" to give advice and suggestions in English. You will learn what "should" means in this use, when to use it, how to form sentences, how to ask for and respond to advice, how to talk about past advice, how "should" compares with other modals, common mistakes, and many clear examples.

What does "should" mean when giving advice?

"Should" is a modal verb used to recommend or suggest actions. When you tell someone what you think is the right, sensible, or best thing to do, you can use "should." It is softer and more polite than a direct command (like "do this") and weaker than an obligation word (like "must").

Examples:
You should see a doctor about that cough. (recommendation)
You should apologize to her. (advice about the right action)
We should leave now if we want to catch the train. (suggestion/plan)

Note: "should" can also express expectation (probability), e.g. "The bus should arrive soon." That is not advice. Pay attention to context.

When do I use "should"?

Use "should" when:
- You want to give a recommendation or suggestion: "You should try the new restaurant."
- You want to express an opinion about what is right or sensible: "People should recycle more."
- You ask for advice: "Should I call him now?"
- You give a gentle warning or a polite instruction (less strong than "must" or "have to"): "You should lock the door when you leave."

Examples for each situation:
Give a recommendation: "If your ankle is swollen, you should rest it."
Express an opinion: "Children should be allowed to play outside."
Ask for advice: "Should I accept the job offer?"
Polite instruction: "You should check the oil in the car regularly."

How do I form sentences with "should"?

Basic form (affirmative)
Subject + should + base verb (infinitive without "to").
Examples:
You should study more.
She should call her parents.
We should leave now.

Negative form
Subject + should not / shouldn't + base verb.
Examples:
You should not ignore the warning signs. / You shouldn't drink so much coffee.
He shouldn't drive if he's tired.

Question form
Should + subject + base verb? (used to ask for advice)
Examples:
Should I tell them the truth?
Should we wait for John?
Shouldn't you go to the doctor? (negative question asking for confirmation)

Short answers
Yes, you should.
No, you shouldn't.

Continuous and perfect forms
You can use "should" with continuous or perfect structures when needed:
You should be studying for your exam. (continuous advice)
You should have finished the report by now. (advice or expectation about the past; see next section)

Pronunciation / contractions
People often say "shouldn't" for the negative and contract "should have" to "should've" in speech: "You should've called."

How do I ask for and respond to advice with "should"?

Asking for advice
Should I + verb? (direct)
Examples:
Should I buy this laptop?
Should I tell my boss about the mistake?

Politer or indirect forms:
Do you think I should + verb?
Would it be better if I + verb?
Examples:
Do you think I should see a lawyer?
Would it be better if I waited until next week?

Responding to advice requests
Direct recommendation: "You should..." or "I think you should..."
Softer: "Maybe you should..." or "You might want to..."
Examples:
Person A: "Should I take the train?"
Person B: "Yes, you should. The traffic will be terrible."
Person A: "Should I tell Maria about the meeting change?"
Person B: "Maybe wait—she's at work. You could email her first."

Alternate suggestions (different tones):
Stronger/warning: "You'd better call before you go." (see comparison with "had better")
More polite/less direct: "You might want to ask for more time."

Should have: giving advice about the past

Form
Subject + should have + past participle.

Meaning and use
- To say something would have been better in the past (regret): "You should have told me earlier."
- To criticize a past action: "She should have studied harder."
- To express that something was expected but did not happen: "They should have arrived by now." (expectation, not criticism)

Examples:
You should have called when you arrived. (regret/criticism)
He shouldn't have said that to his boss. (criticism: he said something he shouldn't have)
They should have finished the work yesterday. (expectation)

Common spoken contraction: "should've" = "should have" (spoken) but do not write "should of" — that is incorrect.

Should compared with other modals (ought to, had better, must, could, would)

Should vs. ought to

Meaning: Very similar. "Ought to" is slightly more formal and sometimes sounds more moral.
Forms: "You should + verb" vs "You ought to + verb."
Examples:
You should apologize. / You ought to apologize.
There is little difference in meaning; both give advice.

Should vs. had better

Meaning: "Had better" (often contracted to "you'd better") gives stronger advice and often implies a warning about a bad result if you do not follow it.
Examples:
You should study for the exam. (advice)
You'd better study for the exam, or you'll fail. (stronger, warning about consequence)
You had better not be late. (strong warning)

Should vs. must

Meaning: "Must" expresses strong obligation or necessity. "Should" is recommendation and is weaker.
Examples:
You must wear a helmet on the construction site. (obligation/rule)
You should wear a helmet when you ride a bike. (advice/recommendation)

Should vs. could / might

Meaning: "Could" and "might" suggest possibilities or offer options. They are softer suggestions than "should."
Examples:
You could try restarting the computer. (one option)
You should restart the computer if nothing else works. (stronger recommendation)

Should vs. would

Meaning: "Would" is often used for hypothetical or polite offers/requests. "I would" is used in conditional suggestions ("If I were you, I would...").
Examples:
If I were you, I would take that job. (hypothetical suggestion)
You should take that job. (direct recommendation)

Tone and politeness: making your advice sound softer or stronger

Softer ways to give advice
Maybe you should...
You might want to...
It might be a good idea to...
I think you should...
Examples:
Maybe you should wait a few days before deciding.
You might want to ask for a second opinion.
It might be a good idea to save your files before the update.

Stronger or more urgent advice
You should definitely...
You'd better... (warning)
Examples:
You should definitely back up your photos.
You'd better call the clinic now if you have a high fever.

Common mistakes to avoid

- Wrong: "You should to go to the doctor."
Right: "You should go to the doctor." (No "to" after "should".)

- Wrong: "You should of called me."
Right: "You should have called me." (Do not write "of"; the spoken contraction "should've" sounds like "should of".)

- Wrong: "You should went earlier."
Right: "You should have gone earlier." (Use past participle after "should have".)

- Wrong: "Don't should do that."
Right: "You shouldn't do that." (Use "shouldn't", not "don't should".)

- Confusing strength: Using "should" when a rule or law is meant. If you mean a legal or required action, use "must" or "have to".
Example: "You should wear a seatbelt" (advice) vs "You must wear a seatbelt" (law/obligation).

- Using "should" to recommend a past action without "have":
Wrong: "You should call her yesterday."
Right: "You should have called her yesterday." (past advice)

Examples — grouped and comprehensive

Simple recommendations
You should drink more water.
She should ask for help.
We should save money for emergencies.

Negative advice / warnings
You shouldn't skip breakfast.
He shouldn't accept gifts from strangers.
We shouldn't ignore the instructions.

Asking for advice
Should I bring my passport?
Should I tell him the truth now or wait?
Should we buy tickets in advance?

Responding to advice requests
Yes, you should. (simple positive)
No, you shouldn't. (simple negative)
I think you should go. (personal opinion)
Maybe you should wait and see. (softer suggestion)

Advice about the past (should have)
You should have taken an umbrella — it rained later.
He should have told the truth.
They shouldn't have left so early.

Polite / indirect suggestions
You might want to check the schedule first.
It might be a good idea to back up your files.
If I were you, I'd speak to a counselor. (alternative phrasing)

Stronger / urgent advice (contrast with "should")
You should talk to your teacher about the grade. (recommendation)
You'd better finish the homework tonight, or the teacher will be upset. (stronger warning)

Comparisons in context
You could ask for an extension, but you should explain why you need one. ("could" = option; "should" = recommended action)
You ought to apologize; you should show you are sorry. (similar meanings)

Reported advice
Direct: "You should see a doctor," she said.
Reported: She said I should see a doctor.

Expectation (not advice) — to show the difference
The package should arrive tomorrow. (expectation, not advice)
He should be at work by now. (expectation)

Quick reference: common forms

Present/future advice: You should + verb. (You should rest.)
Negative: You should not / shouldn't + verb. (You shouldn't smoke.)
Question: Should + subject + verb? (Should I call?)
Past advice/criticism: You should have + past participle. (You should have asked.)

Glossary

Modal verb — a helping verb that shows mood or attitude (should, must, could, etc.).
Base verb (bare infinitive) — the infinitive verb without "to": go, eat, see, study.
Past participle — form used after "have": gone, eaten, seen, studied.
Contraction — short spoken/written form: shouldn't (should not), should've (should have).

Final notes

"Should" is your go-to word for polite, friendly advice and reasonable recommendations. Use it when you want to suggest what you believe is the best or sensible action without forcing someone. When you need more force, use "must" or "had better". When you are talking about something that should have happened already, use "should have" + past participle.

Practice noticing tone: "should" is gentle; add words like "maybe" or "probably" to be softer, or use "had better" / "must" when a stronger tone or warning is needed.