Prak Unsonita: Should Ought To Had Better

Prak Unsonita
Name: _______________________ Score: ____ / 100
Unit 4: Getting it right
Grammar: Modals of Advice “should / ought to / had better”
HANDOUT
 There are three modal auxiliary verbs that you can use to give advice. They
are should, ought to, and had better.
You should put cool water on a burn.
You ought to put cool water on a burn.
You had better put cool water on a burn.
 Although all three have the meaning of should, "had better" is the strongest because it implies
a negative consequence if you don't follow the advice.
 Another difference is that usually ought to and had better are not used with questions.
Should I put cool water on a burn?
Ought I to put cool water on a burn?
Had better I put cool water on a burn?
 There is a difference in the negative form as well. You can make a contraction only with the
verb should, not the other two (see examples below). Also, note the position of the word not in
the negative sentence below. The word not goes after should and had better but in the
middle of ought to ("ought not to").
Negative Sentence Contraction
You should not put hot water on a burn. You shouldn't put hot water on a burn.
You ought not to put hot water on a burn. (There is no contraction.)
You had better not put hot water on a burn. (There is no contraction.)
PRACTICE
Instruction: Put in the best modal to complete each sentence.
1. My teacher told me that I ____________

ought to review my notes every day. I guess it's a good idea to
look at them after class.
2. Do you think Carol ____________
should save her money or spend it? She is planning to go to Europe
this summer.
should
3. I'm going to a party tonight. What ____________ I wear: a dress or black pants?
4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We ____________
had better fill it up with gas soon or we will run out
of gas!
should not eat at McDonald's every day. You
5. If you are worried about getting fat, you ____________
____________
should eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.
6. It's really raining outside right now. I ____________
had better forget my umbrella or I'll get wet!
7. Where ____________
should we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?
8. My doctor feels that I ____________
ought to exercise more because I'm out of shape and want to lose
weight. I think he's right.
Mr. Sokheng Sar, ESL Teacher Page 1 of 2

Room: LKN 504 Level: 7A
Course: American Headway 3

Prak Unsonita
Name: _______________________ Score: ____ / 100
Unit 4: Getting it right
Grammar: Modals of Advice “should / ought to / had better”
CLASSWORK
Instruction: Write 10 suggestions for a tourist in Phnom Penh using should, ought to, or had
better. Include positive and negative sentences.
Examples: You should try Tonle Bassac restaurant for dinner.

You had better not speak too loud in the public library here or you will be kicked
out.
You should respect others.

1. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. You ought not to drink tap water.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
You had better bring a camera .
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. You should not wear shorts or clothing that is too revealing to a religious places.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. You ought not to shout or laugh excessively loud in pagodas or public buildings.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. You should visit Angkor Wat.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________________
You had better change your money currency to riel or you won’t able to buy
things.
___________________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________________
You ought to rent a guide to show you around the city or provinces.
___________________________________________________________________________
9. You
___________________________________________________________________________
should not disrespect monks.
___________________________________________________________________________
You ought to ask permission if you want to take pictures of Cambodian
10. ___________________________________________________________________________
people.
___________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Sokheng Sar, ESL Teacher Page 2 of 2

Room: LKN 504 Level: 7A
Course: American Headway 3

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1. My teacher told me that I ____________

Mr. Sokheng Sar, ESL Teacher Page 1 of 2

Examples: You should try Tonle Bassac restaurant for dinner.

You should respect others.

Mr. Sokheng Sar, ESL Teacher Page 2 of 2

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