Grammar: B1 - 🔑 Modals & Related Structures: Certainty, Possibility, Advice, Obligation - Lesson 2: Modals of Advice (should, ought to, shouldn't)

🔑 Lesson 2: Modals of Advice

After learning about strong obligation with 'must', we now look at a softer modal verb for giving advice¹. When you give advice, you are not giving an order; you are giving a helpful suggestion² or recommendation³. The most important modals for this are should, ought to, and shouldn't.

Giving Positive Advice: "should" and "ought to"

When you think something is a good idea for someone, you use "should" or "ought to". "Should" is the most common and natural choice in everyday conversation.

Structure: Subject + should / ought to + verb (infinitive)

• "You look tired. You should get some rest."
• "Battambang has so many beautiful old buildings. You ought to explore the town center."

Note: "Should" and "ought to" mean the same thing. "Ought to" can sound slightly more formal⁴.

Giving Negative Advice: "shouldn't"

When you think something is a bad idea for someone, you use "shouldn't" (should not). You are advising them *not* to do something.

Structure: Subject + shouldn't + verb (infinitive)

• "It's going to rain this afternoon. You probably shouldn't ride the Bamboo Train now."
• "He wants to be healthy, so he shouldn't eat so much fast food."

Asking for Advice

You can easily ask for a recommendation by starting a question with "Should".

Tourist: "Excuse me, what should I see in Battambang?"
Local: "You should definitely visit Wat Ek Phnom. You ought to go in the morning before it gets too hot."

🧠 Practice Quiz: What's the Advice?

Choose the best option to complete each sentence.

1. You look sick. You _______ see a doctor.
   Answer: should / ought to (This is good advice.)
2. That road is very dark and dangerous at night. You _______ drive on it alone.
   Answer: shouldn't (This is negative advice for safety.)
3. A: "I'm bored." B: "You _______ visit the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus. It's amazing!"
   Answer: should (This is a recommendation.)
4. "_______ I buy the red shirt or the blue one? What's your opinion?"
   Answer: Should (This is a question asking for advice.)
5. He wants to pass his exam. He _______ study more and he _______ play games all night.
   Answer: should / shouldn't

📝 Homework: Give Some Advice

Write a sentence giving advice for each situation.

1. Your friend is always tired in the morning. What advice can you give? (Use 'should' and 'shouldn't'.)
   (Example: You should go to bed earlier. You shouldn't drink coffee late at night.)
   _________________________________________
2. A tourist asks for a food recommendation in Battambang. (Use 'ought to'.)
   (Example: You ought to try the fish amok at Jaan Bai restaurant.)
   _________________________________________
3. Your friend wants to improve their English. Ask a question to offer advice.
   (Example: Should I help you find a good book to read?)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Advice: (Noun) - ដំបូន្មាន (dâm'bao'maan) - An opinion that someone offers you about what you should do in a particular situation. ↩
2. Suggestion: (Noun) - ការផ្ដល់យោបល់ (kaa ph'dɑl yo'bɑl) - An idea, plan, or action that is suggested or recommended. ↩
3. Recommendation: (Noun) - ការណែនាំ (kaa nae'noam) - A suggestion that something is good or suitable for a particular purpose or job. ↩
4. Formal: (Adjective) - ជាផ្លូវការ (chéa phlɨw'kaa) - Used in serious situations or with people you don't know well. The opposite of casual or friendly. ↩
5. Ought to: (Modal Verb) - គួរតែ (kuŏr tae) - Used to say what is the right or sensible thing to do. It means the same as 'should'. ↩