Should or Shouldn't: sentences, exercises, tests and examples

Should / Shouldn't use

Should / shouldn’t is used to give advice, make a recommendation, say what is right, sensible, or a good idea, and also to ask for advice.

You should talk to your manager.
You shouldn’t stay up so late.
Should I call her now?

Should / Shouldn't Form

Should is a modal verb. After should and shouldn’t, we always use the base form of the verb (V1) without to. The form should stays the same for all subjects.

Subject + should + V1
Subject + shouldn’t + V1

I should drink more water.
She should visit a doctor.
They shouldn’t spend so much money.

Should / Shouldn't Rule

  • Should is used to give advice or a gentle recommendation.
    You should get some rest.
    We should leave a little earlier.
  • Shouldn’t is used when we advise someone not to do something.
    You shouldn’t skip breakfast every day.
    He shouldn’t drive when he is very tired.
  • In questions, should is often used to ask for advice or find out which option is better.
    Should I send him a message?
    What should we do now?
  • Should is usually softer than must. Should gives advice or a recommendation, while must more often expresses strong necessity, a rule, or an obligation.
    ✅ You should sleep more. (advice)
    ✅ You must wear a seat belt. (rule / obligation)
  • After should, we use only the base verb form without to.
    ❌ You should to go home.
    ✅ You should go home.
  • The form should is the same with all subjects: I should, he should, they should. We do not add -s.
    ✅ She should call him.
    ❌ She shoulds call him.
  • Should can also express an expectation or something we think will probably happen if things are normal.
    The train should arrive in ten minutes.
    You should feel better after some rest.

Should / Shouldn't Negation

Negation is formed with should not or the short form shouldn’t. After them, we still use V1.

Subject + should not / shouldn’t + V1

You shouldn’t worry so much.
We shouldn’t make a decision too quickly.
He should not stay in the sun for too long.

Should / Shouldn't Questions

In questions, should comes before the subject. We use these questions to ask for advice, a recommendation, or clarify the best thing to do.

Should + subject + V1?
Wh-word + should + subject + V1?

Should I buy this one?
Should we wait for them?
Where should I put these boxes?
What time should he arrive?

Should / Shouldn't Common mistakes

❌ You should to talk to her.
✅ You should talk to her.
❌ He shoulds go now.
✅ He should go now.
❌ Do I should call him?
✅ Should I call him?
❌ You don’t should worry.
✅ You shouldn’t worry.
❌ She shouldn’t to eat so much sugar.
✅ She shouldn’t eat so much sugar.

Should / Shouldn't Sentences

You should write everything down.
We shouldn’t ignore this problem.
Should I take an umbrella?
He should call his parents more often.
They shouldn’t leave without telling anyone.
What should we bring to the meeting?
You should try this restaurant.
She shouldn’t spend all her money at once.
The package should arrive tomorrow.
Why should I apologize first?

Should / Shouldn't Examples

I think you should speak to the teacher after class.
You shouldn’t drink so much coffee in the evening.
Should we book the tickets now or wait?
What should I wear to the interview?
She should take a short break and relax.
Children shouldn’t spend all day on their phones.
The weather should be better tomorrow.
You should save this document before closing it.
He shouldn’t drive if he feels sleepy.
Where should we meet after work?

English grammar exercises available in the app

Tenses

Future Simple Present Simple Present Perfect Present Continuous Past Simple Past Perfect Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous Present Perfect Continuous Future Continuous Future Perfect Future Perfect Continuous Be going to

Conditionals

Second Conditional First Conditional Third Conditional Zero Conditional

Sentences

Relative Clauses Conjunctions Reported Speech There is / There are There was / There were

Verbs

Used to To be used to To get used to

Modals

Should or Shouldn't May or Might and Infinitive Modal Verbs Can / Can't Speculation and Deduction

Nouns and Articles

Countable and Uncountable Singular and Plural Nouns Uncountable and Plural