Grammar
Modal verbs for advice and recommendations
A friend is leaving for the airport late. You can say, "You should leave now," but "You'd better leave now" gives a stronger warning.
Choose should, ought to, or had better to give advice that matches the situation and level of urgency.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
You'd better leave now. /juːd ˈbetə liːv naʊ/
The short answer
Use should or ought to plus a base verb for ordinary advice: "You should call first." Use had better plus a base verb when the advice is urgent or a bad result is likely: "You'd better call first."
You should check the address before you leave.
Why it works: Should gives sensible advice, and check stays in the base form.
4 more examples
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You ought to take a warm coat this evening.
Ought to gives advice that is close in meaning to should.
Not this:You
should takea warm coat this evening. What changes: Should is more common in everyday conversation, but both sentences recommend the same action. -
We'd better book the table soon.
Had better warns that waiting may cause a problem, such as finding no table.
Not this:We
should bookthe table soon. What changes: Should is a calm recommendation. Had better makes the timing feel more urgent. -
You shouldn't skip breakfast before the exam.
Shouldn't gives advice against an action that may not help.
Not this:You
don't have to skipbreakfast before the exam. What changes: Don't have to says skipping is not necessary. It does not advise the listener to eat breakfast. -
Why don't you ask the pharmacist for advice?
Why don't you plus a base verb is a friendly way to make a recommendation.
Not this:You
should askthe pharmacist for advice. What changes: Should gives direct advice. Why don't you asks the listener to consider the same idea.
Read the full guide
First, ask how strong your advice needs to be. Choose should for a helpful recommendation. Choose ought to for a similar idea, often in more careful speech or writing. Choose had better when you want to warn about a likely problem. Then check the verb pattern after the modal expression.
Use should for ordinary advice
Choose should when you think an action is a good idea. It is useful when you want to help without making a rule. The verb after should stays in the base form for every subject.
You should check the address before you leave.
Check is the base verb after should. Say "She should check," not "She should checks."
Your friend has a headache after working all day. Give one piece of advice with should.
For example: "You should take a short break."
Use ought to for similar advice
Ought to has a meaning close to should. You can use it when you want to recommend an action. It is less common in everyday conversation, but it is useful to recognize and use.
You ought to take a warm coat this evening.
Ought to includes to before the base verb take. This is different from should take.
Complete the advice: You ought to ___ the email before you send it.
Use read: "You ought to read the email before you send it."
Use had better for a warning
Use had better when the advice is urgent or ignoring it may bring a problem. The phrase is about the present or future, not the past. It is followed directly by a base verb.
We'd better book the table soon.
The speaker expects a problem if the group waits too long. "We should book" is less urgent.
The last train leaves in five minutes. Give a warning with had better.
For example: "We'd better hurry."
Make negative advice clearly
Use shouldn't when you think an action is a bad idea. Use ought not to in the same way, though it sounds more careful. Use had better not when you want to warn against an action that may cause a problem.
You shouldn't skip breakfast before the exam.
Shouldn't advises against skipping breakfast. It does not mean the action is impossible.
You'd better not leave your bag near the door.
Had better not gives a stronger warning because the bag could be lost or taken.
Change this into urgent negative advice: leave your phone on the bus.
Say: "You'd better not leave your phone on the bus."
Offer advice as a question
A question can make a recommendation sound friendlier. Use Why don't you plus a base verb when you offer an idea. You can also ask Should I ...? when you want advice for yourself.
Why don't you ask the pharmacist for advice?
Ask is the base verb after Why don't you. The question invites the listener to consider the action.
Should I call the hotel before we arrive?
Should I asks another person for advice about the speaker's next action.
Turn this idea into a friendly recommendation: speak to the course tutor.
Say: "Why don't you speak to the course tutor?"
Before you go
Remember this
Use should for ordinary advice and ought to for a similar recommendation. Use had better when you want to warn about a likely problem. Follow should and had better with a base verb, and keep to after ought. For negative advice, use shouldn't, ought not to, or had better not.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Modal verbs for advice and recommendations"
What is the difference between should and had better?
Use should for ordinary advice when you think an action is sensible. Use had better when the situation feels urgent or you expect a bad result if the person does nothing. For example, should can recommend checking an address, while had better can warn someone to act before a booking is gone.
You should check the address before you leave.
Do I use to after should or had better?
No. Use a base verb directly after should and had better: should call, should rest, had better leave. Ought to is different because it includes to before the base verb: ought to call. Do not add an extra to after had better.
You must check the address before you leave.
Is ought to the same as should?
Ought to and should usually give the same kind of advice. Both can recommend an action, such as taking a warm coat. Should is more common in everyday conversation. Ought to is still correct and often sounds a little more careful.
You ought to take a warm coat this evening.
How do I make negative advice with modal verbs?
Use shouldn't, ought not to, or had better not before a base verb. Choose shouldn't for ordinary advice against an action. Choose had better not for a stronger warning when the action may lead to a problem. Keep the main verb in its base form.
You should take a warm coat this evening.
How can I make a recommendation sound friendlier?
Turn the idea into a question with Why don't you plus a base verb. This invites the listener to consider your suggestion. You can also ask Should I ...? when you want advice about your own next action. Your choice of words should fit the relationship and situation.
We'd better book the table soon.