MODAL VERBS FOR ADVICE

Modal Verbs “Should” and “Would” are used to give advice or

suggestions.

Remember that “ADVICE” (with a “C”) is the noun

Eg: “I need some ADVICE on how to

bake a cake”

And “ADVISE” (with an “S”) is the verb

Eg: “I ADVISE you to buy a pastry recipe book”

/or/ “I ADVISE buying a pastry recipe book”

Also remember that “ADVICE” is an uncountable noun, so we

say “I need some ADVICE” “Let me give you some ADVICE
on….” (We don’t say “I need an advice” nor “Let me give you one
advice on ..” – these statements are WRONG).

But we can say “I need A PIECE OF ADVICE” or “Let me give you

A PIECE OF ADVICE on…” or “I have three PIECES OF ADVICE
to give you.” (Here it is clear that the "pieces (of advice)" -- like
pieces of cake, for example -- are countable)
So let’s begin with what interests us today:

MODAL VERBS FOR ADVICE

Should

Should is used for advice in the present. The structure is as

follows:

Subject + Should + Base Verb

 You should eat healthy food.

 You should exercise every day.

Should is also used for advice in the past. Here is the structure:

Should + Have + Past Participle

Imagine that you had a party but you decided to stay at home
because you thought the party would be boring. Then a friend
calls you and tells you that:

 You should have gone to the party (because it was great!)

Imagine that your sister failed her Language exam because she
didn’t study. Your mom talks to the Language teacher and the
teacher says that

 She should have studied more.

It is common to use “should” to give negative advice. In this case,

add “not”.
  You should not smoke.
 You should not eat too much candy.

The contraction is “shouldn’t”.

 You shouldn’t drive too fast.

Would
The modal verb “would” is used to give advice. In this situation,
the speaker is giving hypothetical advice as if he/she were the
listener. Here are some examples:

 If I were you, I would return the book.

 If I were you, I would not wear that jacket.

It is not always necessary to include “If I were you”.

 I wouldn’t eat that.

 I would choose the red shoes.

AN EXAMPLE ON HOW TO GIVE THE SAME ADVICE

USING “WOULD” /or/ “SHOULD”

 I would study tonight if I were you.

 You should study tonight.

It is also common to ask for advice using these modal verbs:

 What should I do?

 What would you do?
LET’S PRACTISE:
A – Underline the right word

1) You SHOULD / WOULD eat more vegetables.

2) I SHOULD / WOULD buy those shoes if I were you.
3) She SHOULD / WOULD pay attention in class.
4) The students SHOULD / WOULD arrive on time for class.
5) If I were you I SHOULD / WOULD take a different course.
6) I SHOULDN’T / WOULDN’T wear those shoes if I were her.
7) The children SHOULDN’T / WOULDN’T play soccer in the
house. They may break something.
8) How SHOULD I / I SHOULD make the cake?
9) You SHOULD / WOULD change your shirt.
10) My car is broken, I SHOULD / WOULD take it to a
mechanic.

B- Underline the right option

1) I can’t decide. What would you do? / What would I do?

2) That was a mistake. You shouldn't have done that /

wouldn't have done that.

3) How should I / I should fix this problem?

4) I returned the shoes for a refund. What would you have
done / should you have done?

5) You should not smoke / would not smoke.

6) Should she bring / brings anything?

7) What would you have done / should you have done in this
situation?

8) I would have / should have gone to the meeting if I were

you.

9) You should have / would have studied for your final exam.

10) I wouldn’t / would no do that if I were you.