How to Give Advice With the "Should" Verb

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By
Kenneth Beare
Kenneth Beare
English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert
  • TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
  • M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
  • B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music
Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience.
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Updated on November 04, 2019

Giving advice refers to when we tell other people what we think could help them. The most common way to give advice is by using the modal verb 'should'. There are also other forms including, 'ought to' and 'had better' which are more formal. You can also use the second conditional to give advice.

There are a number of formulas used when giving advice in English. Here are some of the most common:

  • You should see a doctor.
  • I don't think you should work so hard.
  • You ought to work less.
  • You ought not to work so hard.
  • If I were you, I'd work less.
  • If I were in your position, I'd work less.
  • If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.
  • You had better work less.
  • You shouldn't work so hard.
  • Whatever you do, don't work so hard.

Advice Construction

Formula Verb Form

I don't think you should work so hard.

Use 'I don't think you should' the base form of the verb in a statement.

You ought to work less.

Use 'You ought to' the base form of the verb in a statement.

You ought not to work so hard.

Use 'You ought not to' the base form of the verb in a statement.

If I were you,
If I were in your position,
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't work so hard.

Use 'If I were' 'you' OR 'in your position' OR 'your shoes' 'I wouldn't' OR 'I would' base form of the verb in a statement (A form of the conditional 2).

You had better work less.

Use 'You had better' (you'd better) the base form of the verb in a statement.

You shouldn't OR You should work less.

Use 'You should' OR 'You shouldn't' the base form of the verb in a statement.

Whatever you do, don't work so hard.

Use 'Whatever you do' the imperative.
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Your Citation
Beare, Kenneth. "How to Give Advice With the "Should" Verb." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/giving-advice-tips-1211120. Beare, Kenneth. (2023, April 5). How to Give Advice With the "Should" Verb. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/giving-advice-tips-1211120 Beare, Kenneth. "How to Give Advice With the "Should" Verb." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/giving-advice-tips-1211120 (accessed June 2, 2025).