Mama knows best

By Caroline Graham

You shouldn’t do it that way.

You ought to do it this way. You ought to do it this way. You ought to do it my way.

You shouldn’t wear it this way.

You ought to wear it this way. You ought to wear it this way. You ought to wear it my way.

You shouldn’t go with them.

You ought to go with us. You shouldn’t take the train. You ought to take the bus.

You shouldn’t wear that hat.

You ought to cut your hair. You shouldn’t get so fat. You ought to eat a pear.

You shouldn’t do it that way.

You ought to do it this way. You ought to do it this way. You ought to do it my way.

Modal verbs should and ought to

There is hardly any difference between these verbs, very often they are interchangeable. Ought to is a little stronger than should.

Forms and meanings

meanings	examples
moral obligation	A man should help his parents when they become old.
advice	You should be more careful
disapproval	You shouldn’t treat me like this.
criticism of the past action	You shouldn’t have taken my car.
reproach	You should have listened to me more carefully.
regret	It was my birthday yesterday. You should have come.

Ex. 1 Match the parts of the sentences

	My room is in a mess and my friends are coming to visit me tonight.		He should always turn them on in the dark otherwise he may have an accident.
	You haven’t paid your monthly rent yet. Friday is the last day you can do it.		You ought to go on a diet.
	Tom drives the car without headlights.		You should ring her up and apologize.
	Anna’s library book is due today.		She ought to give up smoking.
	I’ve put on weight recently.		He should go to the dentist’s.
	I am afraid, I was rude to Kate yesterday.		You ought to put it in order.
	I’ve got urgent work and my computer does not work.		You should record the film. Have you got a VCR?
	He has a bad toothache.		You ought to go to the bank till Friday and pay it.
	I have a test tomorrow but there is a film on TV I’ve wanted to see so much.		You should phone Nick. He’s got clever fingers.
	She has a bad cough but she goes on smoking.		She ought to return her books today if she doesn’t want to pay a fine.

Ex. 2 Read the situations and write sentences with should (should) have or ought to (ought not to) have. Example – He had a test this morning. – He didn’t do it well. He should have studied more last night.

1. She didn’t take a taxi. She was late for the wedding. 2. I didn’t eat at home. Now I’m hungry. 3. She bought a TV set last month. Now she regrets doing that. Her children watch it day and night. 4. He signed a contract without reading it thoroughly. Now he has discovered that he has no right to make any amendments there. 5. Mary sold her house. That was a mistake because now she spends a lot of money to rent an apartment. 6. I enjoyed the party last night a lot. Why didn’t you come? 7. The driver in front of me stopped suddenly and I smashed into the back of his car. It was not my fault. 8. The boy went out without the doctor’s permission. Now he is much worse. 9. When we arrived at the hotel there were no free rooms. We hadn’t reserved one. 10. It was not a good idea for Tom and Mary to get married. Now they quarrel all days long.

Ex. 3 Choose the right variant

1. She looks bad. She would (be/ have been) more careful about her health. 2. You shouldn’t (miss/ have missed) the chance. It was a brilliant opportunity for you.3. I think the policeman was right. She shouldn’t (exceed/ have exceeded) the speed. 4. I ought to (bring/ have taken) the opera glasses. Now I see nothing. 5. It seems to me that he is a hot-temper person and often flies into a rage because of mere trifles. He should (control/ have controlled) his temper. 6. They should (clear/ have cleared) up the problem long time ago. 7. I ought not to (stay/ have stayed) there long. The party was a failure. 8. You should (shave/ have shaved) this beard of yours! 9. She should (be/ have been) more attentive. Didn’t she see a car on the right? 10. It’s a secret. You ought not to (reveal/ have revealed) it to anybody.

You should have done it – следовало сделать (а вы не сделали)

You should not have done it – не следовало делать (а вы сделали )

Ex. 4 Give advice according to the given situation, using the modal verb should and the words given in brackets

Model: Her diction is not very good. – She should have read aloud.

1. I have a slight irritation in my throat. (to smoke less) 2. This child doesn’t want to eat soup. (not to give her sweets before dinner) 3. She makes a lot of spelling mistakes. (to copy passages out of a book) 4. The dog is afraid of him. (not to shout at the dog) 5. The students are unable to follow what I am saying. (not to speak so fast) 6. The boy is a little pale. (to play out of doors) 7. I am afraid you will miss that train. (to take a taxi) 8. There is no one in. (to try the room next door)

You needn’t have done it – могли и не делать (это было не обязательно)

You shouldn’t have done it. – не следовало делать (плохо, что вы не сделали)

Ex. 5 Comment on the following actions using the modal verbs should, shouldn’t or needn’t

What will you say to a person who:

1. crossed the street under the red light?

2. Doesn’t cross the street when the lights are green?

3. Doesn’t want to cross the street by the subway?

4. Doesn’t take off his hat when entering a room?

5. Has a splitting headache?

6. Bought bread which was not necessary?

7. Was not present at the meeting?

8. Went out without his coat and caught cold?

9. Didn’t attend a very important lecture?

10. Watered the garden, and it is raining now?

You should have done it – следовало сделать (а вы не сделали)

You must have done it – должно быть, сделали

Ex. 6 Fill in the modal verbs should or need

1. a) You … have studied the material thoroughly. I see you have made no mistakes in the paper.

b) You … have studied the material thoroughly. Then you would not have made so many mistakes.

2. a) She … have followed the doctor’s advice. She would have recovered by now.

b) She … have followed the doctor’s advice. She looks very fine.

3. a) You … have ignored the instructions of your tennis coach. That’s why you lost the game.

b) You … have ignored the instructions of your tennis coach. Then you would have won the game.

4. a) She … have forgotten to take her medicine.

b) She … have remembered to take her medicine.

5. a) I … have got on the wrong bus. I cannot recognize the places we are passing.

b) I … have looked carefully at the number of the bus. Now I must change buses, and I am afraid I shall be late.