MODALS OF ADVICE
(should, ought to, had better)
We use modals of advice to give advice and say what we think is a good or bad idea.
We form modals like this: modal + verb (base form). The ‘to’ in ought to is considered part of the modal.
Should is the most common modal of advice. It can be used with questions, negative sentences, and affirmative sentences.
Where should I park?
Should I exercise more?
You shouldn’t drink that milk.
You should bring an umbrella.
Had better is the strongest modal of advice. It implies that if you don’t follow the advice, something bad will happen. It can be used with negative and affirmative sentences.
She had better not be late again.
They had better slow down.
Ought to is the least common modal of advice. It is almost exclusively used with the affirmative in modern English.
He ought to start jogging.
Modals of advice questions
(should, ought to, had better)
- Where should I go on my next vacation?
- What should a person look for when dating?
- Should a husband and wife share household chores? Why or why not?
- What are some things a person ought to do to get a good job?
- What are two things a person ought to do to have a happy life?
- What are some things a person had better or had better not do during a job interview?
- What are some things I’d better not do if I want to live a long time?
- Who are some musicians or bands I ought to listen to?
- Where should I go to buy electronics?
- Should the work week be four days instead of five? Why or why not?
- What’s something every person should do before they die?
- What are two things a person ought to do if they visit your country?
- Are there any things a tourist had better not do if they visit your country?
- How old should a person be before they can buy cigarettes? How about alcohol?
- What are some things parents had better teach their children?
- What’s something that isn’t a law but should be?
- What’s one thing everyone ought to study?
- What are some things I’d better do when traveling abroad?