Published at February 17, 2025

Course on Giving Advice with Modals - TOEIC® Preparation

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In the context of the TOEIC®, it is essential to master the use of modals for giving advice. In English, several constructions allow you to suggest or encourage someone to do something. The most common are: should, ought to, and had better. Other constructions such as could or phrases with might want to can also be used to give more nuanced or less direct advice.

1. "Should" for giving advice or making a recommendation

A. "Should", when to use it?

The modal "should" is used to give advice or make a suggestion. It is used when you want to propose an action or idea that seems to be the best option in a given situation, but without imposing a strict obligation. You can use "should" in both personal or professional contexts, as its use remains polite.

You should eat more fruits and vegetables.
I think you should call your parents more often.
Should we leave now or wait a bit longer?
She should try to finish her project before the deadline.

B. "Shouldn't", when to use it?

The modal "shouldn't" (negative form of should) is used to advise not to do something. It expresses an action or attitude that is not recommended or could have negative consequences. Like "should", shouldn't remains polite and does not impose anything; it simply suggests avoiding an action deemed non-ideal or problematic.

You shouldn't worry so much about what people think.
He shouldn't spend all his money on unnecessary gadgets.
They shouldn't ignore the safety instructions.

C. "Should" and "Shouldn't", in which tenses to use them?

In the present and near future

This is the main use of should and shouldn't. They are used to give advice or express a suggestion in a current or imminent situation.

You should study for the test tomorrow.
You shouldn't eat so much junk food.

To talk about the past

Use should have + past participle or shouldn't have + past participle to express a regret, a criticism, or advice that should have been followed in the past.

You should have called me earlier.
He shouldn't have spent so much money on that car.
They should have arrived by now.

2. "Ought to" for giving advice in a formal context

The semi-modal "ought to" has practically the same meaning as should, but it is much more formal. In general, "ought to" is less used in everyday life.

You ought to see a doctor if you keep feeling sick.
He ought to pay more attention to the details.
We ought to finish this report before going home.
You ought not to speak so rudely to your coworkers.
Ought she to call her boss now or wait until tomorrow?

3. "Had better" for giving a warning

The phrase "had better" (often contracted to 'd better) is also used to give advice, but it expresses a more urgent or stronger idea than should. Sometimes, it can even sound like a warning. Its use implies that there is often a negative consequence if this advice is not followed.

You'd better leave now if you don't want to miss your flight.
He had better not forget his presentation.
They'd better check the weather forecast before going hiking.
You'd better call her right away, or she'll worry.
We'd better study for the test tomorrow.

4. "Could" for making a suggestion

The modal could is used to make a suggestion or propose an idea in a lighter and less direct way than with should. It is often used when you want to offer an alternative or indicate a possibility without insisting.

You could talk to your manager about getting a raise.
You could try a different approach for this project.

For more on expressing suggestions, you can check out this article: Modals for Expressing Suggestions

5. "Might want to" for giving advice gently

The expression might want to is used to give advice in a nearly indirect way. It is particularly suitable in situations where you want to remain delicate or avoid appearing insistent. This phrase allows you to suggest an action while leaving a lot of room for the interlocutor to decide.

You might want to take a break if you feel tired.
They might want to consider hiring more staff.

6. "Why don't you...?" for suggesting an idea

The expression Why don't you...? is a rhetorical question frequently used in speech to suggest an idea or propose a solution. It is an excellent way to encourage someone to consider an action, without giving the impression of imposing advice.

Why don't you join us for dinner tonight?
Why don't you try calling customer service?

7. "You'd be better off + V-ing / with something" for making a recommendation

The idiomatic expression You'd be better off is used to say that a person would be in a better situation by doing something. It proposes an alternative that seems more beneficial or suitable than the current situation.

Form You'd be better off + V-ing

You'd be better off spending your time on more productive tasks.
We'd be better off finding a cheaper supplier.

Form You'd be better off + with something

You'd be better off with a reliable car for long trips.
They'd be better off with a more experienced team for this project.

Conclusion

Remember that each modal has a specific nuance: should for standard advice, might or could for softer suggestions, and had better for emphasizing urgency or possible consequences.

The most important thing is to choose the right word depending on the context. This summary table is here to help you remember them and avoid common mistakes!

Summary of Modals for Giving Advice

Expression	When to use it	Examples
Should	Give advice or a suggestion	You should eat more fruits and vegetables. Should we leave now or wait a bit longer?
Shouldn't	Advise not to do something	You shouldn't worry so much about what people think. They shouldn't ignore safety instructions.
Should have / Shouldn't have	Express regret or advice that should have been followed in the past.	You should have called me earlier. He shouldn't have spent so much money on that car.
Ought to	Give advice in a more formal context	You ought to see a doctor if you keep feeling sick. Ought she to call her boss now?
Had better	Give strong advice or a warning (often urgency or consequences).	You'd better leave now if you don't want to miss your flight. He had better not forget his presentation.
Could	Make a light suggestion or offer an alternative.	You could talk to your manager about getting a raise. You could try a different approach for this project.
Might want to	Give advice gently, in a very delicate and indirect way.	You might want to take a break if you feel tired. They might want to consider hiring more staff.
Why don't you...?	Suggest an idea or propose a solution in the form of a rhetorical question.	Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? Why don't you try calling customer service?
You'd be better off	Make a recommendation by suggesting a better situation.	You'd be better off spending your time on more productive tasks. You'd be better off with a reliable car for long trips.

Key Points to Remember and Common Mistakes on Modals for Giving Advice

Confusion with verbs that require "to"
- Reminder: with should, ought to, had better, could, might want to, the following verb is in the base form (except for ought to which already contains "to" in its writing).
- Incorrect: You should to go. / Correct: You should go.
Using "must" instead of "should"
- Must expresses a strong obligation, even a necessity. It is not really advised to use it for giving advice, as it is too imperative.
- Example: You must finish this report by tonight. (Almost non-negotiable obligation)
- For advice, prefer: You should finish this report by tonight.
Interrogative forms : for should, the correct interrogative form is: Should we wait here? and not Do we should wait here?
Use of negation
- With should: You shouldn't eat so much junk food.
- With had better: You had better not stay up too late.
Formal and informal contexts Some expressions like had better or you'd be better off can sound too direct in formal situations. Prefer should or might want to for a more professional tone.
- You had better submit the report today. (Too direct in a formal context)
- You should submit the report today. (More polite and appropriate)
Using "Could" and "Might" for lighter advice These modals allow you to give advice more gently and less directive. They are perfect to avoid appearing authoritarian.
- You might want to review this document before sending it.
- You could try another method for this project.

Other Courses on Modals

To learn more about modals, you can read our various courses on the subject: