Uses and Grammar of the verb should

Structure and Examples of the verb should

Here are some example sentences with should to help you learn some uses.

Verb should in affirmative

Should uses the following structure in affirmative sentences:

Subject + should + verb infinitive

Examples:

• You should go to the doctor as soon as possible. (You should go to the doctor as soon as possible).
• John should have taken that job. (John should have taken that job).

Verb should in negative

Should uses the following structure in negative sentences. The contracted form shouldn’t is usually used:

Subject + should + not + verb infinitive

Examples:

• You shouldn’t eat junk food. (You shouldn’t eat junk food).
• He shouldn’t have boarded that plane. (He shouldn’t have boarded that plane)

Verb should in interrogative

Should uses the following structure in interrogative sentences:

Subject + should + verb infinitive

Examples:

• Should I lose weight? (Should I lose weight?)
• Should we buy the house? (Should we buy the house?)

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Exercises with the verb should

Exercises with the verb should in affirmative

Fill in the following sentences with the verb in parentheses plus the modal verb should: 

1. You _______ ____ to the gym, you will feel better. (go)
2. You touched all the animals in the farm. You _______ ______ your hands. (clean)
3. You _______ stop __________ junk food. It’s not good. (eat)
4. You are failing all the exams. Maybe, you _______ _______ harder. (study)
5. Your son looks dehydrated. He _______ _______ more water. (drink)
6. You don’t pay attention to me, you _______ ___ more attentive. (be)
7. Your dog looks very thin. ;Maybe you _______ _______ its food (change)
8. Your mother needs a pause. She _______ ____ for a few days. (go away)

Answers: should go, should clean, should stop eating, should study, should drink, should be, should change , should go away

Exercises in negative

Keep practicing and fill in the blanks of the following sentences, using the negative form of should to give recommendations:  

1. My father (drive)__________ , he is very old and he gets easily distracted. 
2. You (watch)__________ too much TV. It’s time you turn it off. 
3. It’s very late. My daughter is in the park and she (be)__________ out. 
4. Your children are missing you. You (work) __________ so much.
5. It’s a private meeting. You (record) _________ our conversation.
6. I am very worried. I ________ have (allow) ____ them to go out.

Answers: shouldn’t drive, shouldn’t watch, shouldn’t be,  shouldn’t work, shouldn’t record, shouldn’t have allowed

Exercises in interrogative

Complete the following interrogative sentences, using the negation of the modal verb should plus the verb in parentheses: 

1. _______ I  ________ him?, what do you think? (call)
2. _______  I  _______ my job? I am not sure whether it will be a good option. (change)
3. _______ we _______ Lucy to our wedding? We haven’t seen her for a long time. (invite)
4. _______ I ____ this dress? It’s so expensive, but I love it. (buy)
5. _______ my children _____ for this summer camp? I am not sure how safe it is. (sign up)
6. _______ we _____ to the city? In a short time, our sons will be teenagers and they will need it. (move)
7. Why _______I _____ your exercises?! It’s unfair! (do)
8. When ______I _____ for university? (apply) 

Answers: should i phone, should i change, should we invite, should i buy,  should my children sign up, should we move, why should i do, when should i apply