Grammar › Modal Verbs › Should & Ought to
Should & Ought to
'Should', 'ought to' and 'had better' all give advice, with small differences:
- Should — everyday advice and the right thing to do (You should rest).
- Ought to — the same, slightly more formal (You ought to apologise).
- Had better — a strong warning (You'd better hurry).
'Should' takes the base verb (should go). For past advice or regret, use 'should have + past participle': You should have told me.
How to use should, ought to and had better
| Meaning | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday advice | should + base verb | You should drink more water. |
| Slightly formal advice | ought to + base verb | You ought to thank her. |
| Advice with a warning | had better (‘d better) + base verb | You’d better leave now. |
| Past advice / regret | should have + past participle | You should have called. |
Should never changes form (he should, she should) and takes the base verb. Only ought to and had better keep or add extra words.
When to use each
1. Should — the right thing to do
- You should see a doctor about that cough.
- We shouldn’t waste food.
2. Ought to — a touch more formal
- You ought to apologise to your brother.
3. Had better — a warning
- You’d better save your work before it crashes.
⚠️ Typical error: for past advice, use should have + past participle: You should have booked earlier — not
you should booked earlier.
Common mistakes
1. Adding ‘to’ after ‘should’. You should to rest → You should rest.
2. Using the present for past advice. You should call yesterday → You should have called yesterday.
3. Confusing strength. You should evacuate right now or you’ll be hurt (too weak for an emergency) → You’d better evacuate right now.
✏️ Practice: Should & Ought to
1. You look tired. You ___ get some rest.
2. It's raining hard. You ___ take an umbrella.
3. You ___ apologise to her; it would be the polite thing.
4. We ___ hurry, or we'll miss the last train.
5. I feel sick. — You ___ eaten so much cake.
6. You ___ worry so much; everything will be fine.
7. He failed the test. He ___ harder.
8. Choose the correct version of: 'You should to see a dentist.'
9. This milk smells bad. You ___ drink it.
10. Which sentence gives advice about the PAST?
11. Fill in the gap
You look ill. You ___ see a doctor.
Type one word.
12. Correct the mistake
You should to rest more.
Type the whole corrected sentence.
13. Fill in the gap
You didn't call her. You ___ have called her. (past advice)
Type one word.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'should' and 'ought to'?
They mean almost the same. 'Ought to' is a little more formal and keeps 'to' (You ought to see a doctor); 'should' takes the base verb (You should see a doctor).
How strong is 'had better'?
Stronger than 'should' — it's advice with a warning about a bad result: You'd better book now, or there'll be no seats.
How do I give advice about the past?
Use 'should have + past participle': You should have told me (but you didn't). For regret: I shouldn't have said that.
Does 'should' change with he/she?
No: he should, she should — never 'she shoulds'. It takes the base verb with no 'to'.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Should & Ought to”:
- Can use 'should' and 'shouldn't' to give advice (CEFR A2).
- Can use 'ought to' and 'had better' with the right register and strength.
- Can use 'should have + past participle' for past advice and regret.
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