INDEX:
1. when you should do something because it is your duty or is right
2. when you should so something because it is sensible or healthy
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ MUST/DON'T HAVE TO
↑ ADVISE
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1. when you should do something because it is your duty or is right
▷ should /ʃʊd/ [modal verb]
if you should do something, it is your duty to do it, or it is the best thing to do because it is right, fair, or honest :
▪ I don’t feel like working late tonight but I suppose I should.
should do something
▪ I think you should tell her the truth.
▪ You really should go see him while he’s in the hospital.
▪ Should we contact Joe’s parents and tell them what’s happened?
should not/shouldn’t do something
▪ You shouldn’t talk to your father like that.
should have done something
it was the right thing to do, but someone did not do it
▪ They should have given you your money back.
shouldn’t have done something
it was the wrong thing to do, but someone did it
▪ I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at you.
▷ ought to /ˈɔːt tuː/ [modal verb]
use this to say that someone should do something because you think that it is right or that it is the best thing to do :
▪ ‘Do you think we should tell him?’ ‘Well, we ought to really.’
ought to to do something
▪ You ought to go to church more often.
▪ Do you think we ought to call the police?
▪ The Government ought to spend more on education.
ought not to do something
▪ I think animals have rights, and we ought not to use them for experiments.
▷ had better (do something) /həd ˌbetəʳ (ˈduː something )/ [verb phrase] especially spoken
use this to say that you think someone should do something because it would be the correct, polite, or fair thing to do :
▪ I had better phone Alan and tell him I’m going to be late.
▪ You’d better apologize to your mother for forgetting her birthday.
had better not do something
▪ We’d better not tell anyone about this just yet.
had better
▪ ‘Do you think we ought to tell Jane about the money?’ ‘Yes, I think we’d better.’
▷ be supposed to (do something) /biː səˌpəʊzd tə (ˈduː something )/ [verb phrase]
use this to say that someone should do something because there is a rule that says they should, because they have been told to do it, or because it is part of their job :
▪ You’re supposed to knock before you come in.
▪ Put that cigarette out! You’re not supposed to smoke in here.
▪ What time are we supposed to meet?
▪ I don’t know why they’re blaming him -- he only did what he was supposed to.
▷ be expected to do something /biː ɪkˌspektə̇d tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
use this to say that people think someone should do something because of their position, age etc :
▪ In many societies women are expected to stay at home.
▪ The employees are well-paid but they’re also expected to work long hours.
▷ it is somebody’s job (to do something) /ɪt ɪz somebodyˈs ˌdʒɒb (tə ˈduː something ǁ-ˌdʒɑːb-/ spoken
use this to say that someone is responsible for doing something, because it is officially part of their job, or because they have agreed to do it :
▪ It’s my job to check that the equipment is in good working order.
▪ I thought we’d agreed it was Mike’s job to send out all the invitations.
▷ it’s up to somebody (to do something) /ɪts ˌʌp tə somebody (tə ˈduː something )/ spoken
say this to emphasize that a particular person is responsible for doing something :
▪ It’s up to parents to teach their children the difference between right and wrong.
it’s up to somebody
a particular person is responsible for making a decision
▪ I really don’t think we should have to work on Saturday but it’s not up to me.
▷ be somebody’s duty (to do something)/have a duty (to do something) /biː somebodyˈs ˌdjuːti (tə ˈduː something ), hæv ə ˌdjuːti tə ˈduː something ǁ-ˌduːti-/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
use this to say that someone should do something because it is their legal or moral duty :
▪ It is the judge’s duty to give a fair summary of both sides of the case.
▪ The government has a duty to provide education for every child.
2. when you should so something because it is sensible or healthy
▷ should /ʃʊd/ [modal verb]
if you should do something, it is the best thing to do because it is good for you or it will help you -- use this especially in suggestions or to give advice :
▪ ‘Do you think I should talk to a doctor about the pain in my back?’ ‘Yes, you should.’
should do something
▪ Everyone keeps telling me I should give up smoking.
▪ Should I wear the red dress or the black one?
should not/shouldn’t do something
▪ They shouldn’t worry so much. Everything will be all right.
should have done something
it was the best thing to do, but someone did not do it
▪ I should have started saving for my retirement when I was younger.
shouldn’t have done something
it was not a sensible thing to do but someone did it
▪ We shouldn’t have bought such a big car.
▷ ought to (do something) /ˌɔːt tə (ˈduː something )/ [verb phrase]
use this to say that you think someone should do something because it is good for them or will help them :
▪ The doctor told Dan he ought to exercise more.
▪ You ought to ask Eric. I’m sure he’d be happy to help.
▷ had better (do something) /həd ˌbetəʳ (ˈduː something )/ [verb phrase not in progressive] especially spoken
use this to say that you think someone should do something because it is sensible or it will help them avoid problems :
▪ You’d better be careful with that knife.
▪ It was starting to snow and we thought we had better go home.
▷ it’s/that’s a good idea /ɪts, ðæts ə ˌgʊd aɪˈdɪə/ spoken
say this to emphasize that you think an idea or suggestion will help someone or prevent problems :
▪ ‘I’ll check the oil before we set off.’ ‘Yes, that’s a good idea.’
:
it’s/that’s a good idea to do something
▪ It’s a good idea to photocopy your passport in case it gets stolen.
▷ it’s worth /ɪts ˈwɜːʳθ/ especially spoken
use this to say that someone should spend the time, money, or effort needed to do something, because they will gain something useful from it :
it’s worth doing
▪ It’s worth comparing a range of models before deciding which one to buy.
it’s worth the time/effort etc
▪ It’s worth all the hard work and preparation to make the show a real success.
it’s worth it
▪ Get the car thoroughly checked by a professional. It may cost a bit of money but it’s worth it, believe me.
it’s well worth it/doing something etc
▪ The movie was a little difficult to follow at first but it’s well worth seeing.
▷ advisable /ədˈvaɪzəb ə l/ [adjective not before noun] formal
if something is advisable, someone should do it or use it in order to avoid problems and succeed in what they are trying to do :
▪ Use of the drug is not considered advisable when driving or using machinery.
it is advisable to do something
▪ It is advisable to take some warm clothing with you, as the weather can change quite suddenly.
advisability /ədˌvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti, ədˌvaɪzəˈbɪləti/ [uncountable noun]
▪ She wondered about the advisability of exercising whether or not it was advisable during pregnancy.