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MODAL VERBS

They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on. They have a great variety of
communicative functions.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

 They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
 They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
 They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation,
necessity, ability

Modal verbs of advice

The modal verbs of advice are a kind of verb used to ask or give an advice or opinion, those modal verbs are should,
ought to y had better. Into Spanish it would mean debería, deberías…

Structure of modal verbs

SHOULD, OUGHT TO and HAD BETTER have the same meaning, nevertheless, ought to is used in a formal
context.
This is the structure you have to use for modal verbs of advice:

GFPI-F-019 V3
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Difference between should, ought to, had better

Should is used to express that it is the most convenient in a determined situation, it means, it is a subjective opinion

Ought to expresses an objective point of view or situation, it is more related to law, obligations, rules, etc, it expresses
what is morally right or not.

Had better is used to express an advice when we thinks that acting in another way, there would be negative
consequences.

https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/74/modal-verbs-of-advice
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GUÍA DE APRENDIZAJE

EXERCISE
Modal verbs – should, ought to, shouldn’t, had better
1. Choose the correct word.

1. You should / shouldn’t try and get enough sleep.

2. You should / shouldn’t worry. It isn’t good for you.
3. You ought to / shouldn’t keep your friends waiting when you meet each other.
4. You ought to / shouldn’t concentrate on what you’re doing.
5. You should / shouldn’t drink plenty of water.
6. You had better / shouldn’t apologise to your mother immediately.

2. Match the questions (a–f) below with the sentences (1–6) in exercise 1.
A. I get very thirsty when I’m in the gym. What should I do? ( )
B. I shouted at my mother today and now I’m sorry. What should I do? ( )
C. I keep on making mistakes with my homework. What should I do? ( )
D. I’m always tired and sometimes I fall asleep in school. What should I do? ( )
E. My friends are angry because I’m often late. What should I do? ( )
F. I’ve got an important exam but I feel very nervous. What should I do? ( )

3. Complete the short dialogues with the words in the box. Use each word only once.

OUGHT TO - SHOULD - SHOULDN’T

Rick: Hi, Matt! What’s wrong?
Matt: I’m being bullied at school. What (1) ………………………….. I do?
Rick: You (2) ………………………….. go and tell a teacher.
Matt: But what if the boy finds out?
Rick: You (3) ……… ………………….. worry about that. You need to say something or he might not stop.

HAD BETTER - SHOULD - SHOULDN’T

Cindy: I know you like Ben. When are you going to tell him?
Alice: I don’t know. I’m too shy. What do you think I (4) …………………. do?
Cindy: Well, you (5) …………………. tell him now before someone else asks him out.
Alice: What if he says ‘No’?
Cindy: You (6) …………………. worry about that.

HAD BETTER NOT - SHOULD

Ed: Hey! You (7) ………………. do that. You’ll get in trouble.

Stella: Don’t worry. You (8) …………………. concentrate on what you have to do.

Online Exercises
https://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-advice1.htm
https://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-advice2.htm
http://www.passporttoenglish.com/Advanced-English/Lesson12/Grammar.html
https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/should-had-better
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Next Topics

https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/74/modal-verbs-of-advice
https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/72/modal-verbs-of-certainty
https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/73/modal-verbs-of-ability
https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/31/modal-verbs-of-obligation
https://www.lewolang.com/gramatica-inglesa/75/modal-verb-used-to
http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/modal.htm
https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php