Unit 33. Should 1.
Unit 33; Part A

• You look tired. You should go to bed.
• The government should do more to reduce crime.
• 'Should we invite Susan to the party?' 'Yes, I think we should.'
We often use should with I think /I don't think / Do you think ... ?:
• I think the government should do more to reduce crime.
• I don't think you should work so hard.
• 'Do you think I should apply for this job?' 'Yes, I think you should.'
You shouldn't do something = it isn't a good thing to do:
• You shouldn't believe everything you read in the newspapers.
Should is not as strong as must or have to:
• You should apologise. (= it would be a good thing to do)
• You must apologise. / You have to apologise. (= you have no alternative)
Unit 33; Part B


• I wonder where Tina is. She should be here by now. (= she isn't here yet, and this is not normal)
• The price on this packet is wrong. It should be £2.50, not £3.50.
• That man on the motorbike should be wearing a helmet.
We also use should to say that we expect something to happen:
• She's been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass. (= I expect her to pass)
• There are plenty of hotels in the town. It shouldn't be difficult to find somewhere to stay. (= I don't expect it to be difficult)
Unit 33; Part C

• You missed a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn't you?
(= you didn't come, but it would have been good to come)
• I wonder why they're so late. They should have arrived long ago.
You shouldn't have done something = you did it, but it was the wrong thing to do:
• I'm feeling sick. I shouldn't have eaten so much. (= I ate too much)
• She shouldn't have been listening to our conversation. It was private. (= she was listening)
Compare should (do) and should have (done):
• You look tired. You should go to bed now.
• You went to bed very late last night. You should have gone to bed earlier.
Unit 33; Part D

You can use ought to instead of should in the sentences on this page. We say 'ought to do' (with to):
• Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (= Do you think I should apply ... ?)
• Jack ought not to go to bed so late. (= Jack shouldn't go ...)
• It was a great party last night. You ought to have come.
• She's been studying hard for the exam, so she ought to pass.
Exercises
![]() | Unit 32 Unit 33 Unit 34 | ![]() |