Maicon Lopes Simões

We use should when we want to give some advice or an opinion about a subject. It is neither an obligation nor a position someone holds. Usamos o should quando queremos dar um conselho, uma opinião a respeito de um assunto. Não é uma obrigação nem uma ordem, é uma posição que a pessoa que fala assume.

Similarly to the way we position ourselves in favor of something by using should, we will use shouldn’t to show we are against it. Da mesma forma que colocamos nossa posição a favor do fato usando o should, utilizaremos o shouldn’t para posicionar-se contra o fato.

I think you should wear pants. I think you shouldn’t wear shorts.

You shouldn’t miss the race tonight. It’s going to be incredible.

 We also use should to say that something is not “right” or not what we expect.  Também usamos should para dizer que algo não está “certo” ou não é o que esperamos.

 Tom is late. He should have arrived two hours ago.  You shouldn’t be drinking! You should be helping your friend.

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  1. Your brother is always coughing, but does not stop smoking. What should you tell him?  You______________________________________

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  1. Your brother is always coughing, but does not stop smoking. What should you tell him?  You shouldn’t smoke.  You should stop smoking.

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  2. Your friend will travel to Canada. Advise him to study English.  You______________________________________

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  2. Your friend will travel to Canada. Advise him to study English.  You should study English.

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  3. You don’t think it’s a good idea for Peter and Lisa to get married.  You______________________________________

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  3. You don’t think it’s a good idea for Peter and Lisa to get married yet.  You shouldn’t get married now.

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  4. It’s very cold. Bob, who has been sick lately, is standing at the bus stop without wearing a coat.  Bob______________________________________

 You are giving advice to a friend or showing your opinion. Use should or shouldn’t.  4. It’s very cold. Bob, who has been sick lately, is standing at the bus stop without wearing a coat.  Bob should be wearing a coat.  Bob shouldn’t be out without a coat.

 MURPHY, Raymond. English grammar in use: reference and practice for intermediate students of English. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1997.