Should& Shouldn't
Giving advice naturally
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
What's the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?
If a friend never sleeps enough, what would you tell them?
Tell your partner a small problem — they give you advice.
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minShould / shouldn't for advice
SHOULD gives advice or says what's a good idea; SHOULDN'T says what's a bad idea.
→ You should drink more water.
→ You shouldn't skip breakfast.
→ I think you should talk to your manager.
→ If I were you, I'd apologise first.
More detail
It's an opinion, not a rule — much softer than must/have to. Structure: subject + should/shouldn't + base verb. To sound more natural and less direct, English speakers often soften advice with 'I think', 'maybe', or 'if I were you'.
Advice pattern
e.g. You should get some rest before the exam.
When to use
- should — recommend a good idea
- shouldn't — warn against a bad idea
- maybe you should / I think you should — softer, more polite advice
- why don't you…? — a friendly suggestion, not an order
Softening advice
Direct 'You should…' can sound blunt. Natives often say 'Maybe you should try…' or 'Have you thought about…?' to sound friendlier.
Common mistake
Don't say 'You should to go' — should is followed directly by the base verb, no 'to'.
Question 1.You look exhausted. You ____ get some sleep.
Question 2.You ____ eat so much sugar — it's bad for you.
Question 3.I think you ____ apply for that job.
Question 4.____ I tell her the truth?
Question 5.You ____ ignore the doctor's advice.
Question 6.Choose the softest way to give advice.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
to recommend
to suggest something is good
"I recommend this café."
Recommend a book to your partner.
worth it
good value for the effort
"The course was expensive but worth it."
Name something worth the money.
to put off
to delay doing something
"Don't put off the appointment."
What have you been putting off?
burnt out
exhausted from stress or overwork
"She feels burnt out after exams."
How do you avoid being burnt out?
to seek advice
to ask someone for guidance
"He sought advice from a lawyer."
Who do you seek advice from?
a fresh start
a new beginning
"Moving city gave her a fresh start."
Would you like a fresh start in something?
Discuss with a partner
- →Is there something you've been putting off? What should you do about it?
- →Do you know anyone who feels burnt out? What would you recommend?
Finish the sentence about you
- I recommend that you… …
- You shouldn't put off… …
- Maybe a fresh start would… …
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minSilent 'l' in should/shouldn't and linking with 'you'
- • You should go. → /ju ʃʊd gəʊ/
- • You shouldn't worry. → /ju ˈʃʊdnt ˈwʌri/
- • Should you tell her? → /ˈʃʊdʒu tel hɜː/
- • Maybe you should try it. → /ˈmeɪbi ju ʃʊd traɪ ɪt/
How to say it
The 'l' in should/shouldn't is silent: /ʃʊd/ and /ˈʃʊdnt/. In fast speech, 'should you' links into /ˈʃʊdʒu/. Practise the smooth link so advice sounds natural, not choppy.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minDear Agony Aunt
Dear Agony Aunt, I've been offered a new job with better pay, but it means moving to another city, away from my friends and family. I can't decide what to do. — Torn in Two. Dear Torn, first, you shouldn't rush this decision — sleep on it for a week. You should make a list of what really matters to you: career, relationships, lifestyle. Maybe you should also talk honestly with your family about how a move would affect everyone. If the new job offers real growth, you shouldn't dismiss it out of fear alone. And remember, a fresh start doesn't mean losing your old connections — with video calls and cheap flights, friendships can survive distance. Trust your gut, but don't decide out of panic.
Read carefully, then answer the detail questions. Underline the words in the text that gave you each answer.
Question 1.What is the writer's problem?
Question 2.What does the Agony Aunt suggest first?
Question 3.What does the Aunt say about friendships?
Q1.The Agony Aunt tells the writer to decide immediately.
Q2.The Aunt suggests talking to family.
Q3.The Aunt says friendships always end when you move.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minAdvice between friends
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Nina:I'm so stressed about the exam next week.
Leo:You should make a revision timetable — it really helps.
Nina:I've tried, but I keep procrastinating.
Leo:Maybe you shouldn't study at home then. Why don't you try the library?
Nina:That's a good idea actually.
Leo:And you shouldn't skip meals — I think you should eat properly too.
Nina:You're right. Thanks, Leo.
Listen once for the whole picture, then again for the details before you answer.
Question 1.What does Leo suggest first?
Question 2.Where does Leo suggest Nina studies?
Question 3.What else does Leo advise?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Writing Part 2 (informal letter/advice)
Task
Write a short reply giving advice to a friend's problem.
Strategy
Use a range of advice structures rather than repeating 'should' every sentence: I think you should…, maybe you could try…, why don't you…, if I were you, I'd…. Always acknowledge the problem first before giving advice, to sound supportive rather than bossy.
Example
'That sounds really stressful. I think you should talk to your boss about it directly. Maybe you could also ask a colleague for support. If I were you, I'd take a short break first to clear your head.'
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.You look tired. You ____ take a break.
Question 2.You ____ text and drive at the same time.
Question 3.____ I say something to her?
Question 4.I think you ____ see a doctor about that cough.
Question 5.Maybe you ____ wait until tomorrow to decide.
Q1.Give advice about sleep using 'should':
Q2.Give a warning using 'shouldn't':
Q3.Soften advice with 'maybe':
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Write your own version first, then open the model and compare — what would you change?
Your task
Write a 100-word advice reply to a friend who is worried about starting a new job. Use should, shouldn't and at least one softer alternative (maybe/I think/why don't you).
Compare with the model
I totally understand feeling nervous about a new job — it's normal! I think you should prepare a few questions for your first day, so you feel more in control. You shouldn't worry about knowing everything immediately; nobody does. Maybe you could arrive a little early to settle in calmly. Why don't you also write down your main goals for the first month? And remember, you shouldn't compare yourself to more experienced colleagues. Good luck — you're going to do great!
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
AGONY AUNT ROLEPLAY · Pairs. One student describes a real or invented problem (money, health, work, relationships); the other gives advice using at least 4 different advice structures. Swap roles.
Useful phrases
- • I think you should…
- • You shouldn't…
- • Maybe you could try…
- • Why don't you…?
- • If I were you, I'd…
Role-play & swap
Role-play the scenario once. Then swap roles and change two details so the second run is not a repeat.
- AI can't sleep at night because I keep checking my phone.
- B_______________
- AI keep arguing with my flatmate about chores.
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Push students to use varied advice structures, not just repeating 'should'. ~30 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write an advice column reply (100 words) to an invented problem.
Record a 1-minute voice note giving a friend advice about a real situation.
Find an online advice column in English and note 3 advice structures it uses.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- should / shouldn't = opinion-based advice, not a rule.
- should is followed directly by the base verb — no 'to'.
- Soften advice with I think / maybe / why don't you / if I were you.
- The 'l' in should/shouldn't is silent.
- Acknowledge the problem before giving advice to sound supportive.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 27 again.
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