Exercises

Ex. 1. Comment on the meaning of the verb ought to and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. The young ought to respect old age. 2. You ought not to show to him that you notice his stammer, he feels it very keenly. 3. “Where is Tom?” — “He ought to be in his study”. 4. Which end do you think I ought to open the bar of chocolate first? 5. She knew that she ought to be paying some attention to the rest of the class but she was altogether too excited to let the matter rest. 6. If you think some rotten TV programme is more important than your daughter’s future, then you ought not to be a parent! 7. When he saw Ann playing tennis, he came up and said, “Are you sure you ought to be doing that?” 8. You ought not to have touched those instruments. 9. You ought to be more careful in the future. 10. You ought to have reserved tickets in advance. 11. I feel I ought to help her. 12. Of course they didn’t want to get rid of her, but a girl ought to marry, and somehow all the men they knew at home were married already. 13. I ought to have turned up on time. 14. ‘I ought never to have been told,’ he said. ‘I think it was most selfish of you.’ 15. She ought to be in France. She set off hours ago.

SHOULD

Historically it was the past form of the verb "Shall" and both of the forms expressed obligation. But in present day English they have developed different meanings and are treated as 2 different verbs.

"Should" followed by the non perfect infinitive may be used with the reference to the present and future and is not changed in the reported speech. For example:

You should be more careful.

I told him that he should be more careful.

This modal verb is used only in two meanings.

Imperative	Suppositional
Moral obligation or duty in all kinds of sentences/about the present/. All the students should hand in the papers today	Probability only with the reference to the present of future The guests should not come early
In the negative sentences "Should" denotes negative advice. He should not be so impatient!	In the set expression "Why should..?" Why should I go there?
"Should" + Perfect Infinitive indicates that something desirable has not been done. It denotes criticism only in the affirmative sentences. You should have put more sugar in my coffee. It's not sweet
HAD BETTER advice with a warning of bad result: affirmative and negative statements Your cough is terrible. You'd better see a doctor, or you'll get very sick. (Ваш кашель ужасен. Вам следует пойти к врачу, иначе вы совсем заболеете.) I'd better go now, or I'll be late. (Мне лучше уйти сейчас, а то я опоздаю)

Exercises

Ex. 1. Give advice using the modal verb should with the appropriate form of the Infinitive should do, should have done and the words in brackets.

1. The boy is a little pale (to play outdoors). 2. I took the child to the cinema (the film finished late). 3. I am afraid you will miss that train (to take a taxi). 4. We forgot to leave a message for her (she, to worry). 5. There is no one in (to try the room next door). 6. We didn't wait for them because it was starting to rain (to take umbrellas with you). 7. I have a slight irritation in my throat (to smoke less). 8. I didn't put down her address and now I don't know how to find her. 9. This child doesn't want to eat soup (not to give her sweets before dinner). 10. I didn't explain to her how to get here. 11. She makes a lot of spelling mistakes (to copy passages out of a book). 12. I bought a pair of red shoes to go with my new dress. 13. The dog is afraid of him (not to shout at the dog). 14. So I told her frankly what we all thought about her idea. 15. The students are unable to follow what I am saying (not to speak so fast). 16. I have not seen the film, and now it is too late because it is no longer on. 17. My pen was leaking, so I wrote with a pencil. 18. I am afraid I ate too much cake with my tea.

Ex. 2. Criticize the actions mentioned in the following sentences.

MODEL I told him a week later. — You should have told him at once. 1. I asked him a week later. 2. I paid the bill a week later. 3. I thanked him a week later. 4. I looked for it a week later. 5. I invited him a week later. 6. I apologized a week later. 7. I sent it back a week later. 8. I returned a week later. 9. I booked the tickets a week later. 10. I answered his letter a week later. 11. I cooked it a week later. 12. I wrote to him a week later. 13. I rang him a week later. 14. I started a week later. 15. I began a week later. 16. I ate it a week later.

Ex. 3. Give advice using the verb should (have).

1. I’m always pressed for time. 2. I’m so lonely. 3. My son is so lazy. 4. My daughter is going to get married, but she is only 18. 5. What a boring serial! 6. I think I am underpaid. 7. I am losing everything. 8. Summers are getting colder and colder. 9. Nick twisted his ankle. 10. Ann is afraid of travelling by plane. 11. I’m getting so nervous. 12. The child has a nasty rash on his body. 13. She has gained 5 kilos lately. 14. Ann often has rows with her husband. 15. He wants to go abroad. 16. He has a job interview. 16. I have forgotten my jacket on the plane.

SHALL

“Shall” as a modal verb is not translated in Russian. It's meaning is rendered by the emphatic intonation.

Concrete	Imperative
Promise or strong intention/in this meaning "shall" is used with the 2d and 3d person singular with a weak stress/. He shall get his money. In the 1st person it acquires a strong stress. I want this prize and I shall get it!	Suggestion/in questions, offers, in the 1st person singular and plural/. Shall I read? Shall we begin? Shall I get you a chair?
Threat. In this meaning "Shall" is used with the 2d and 3d person singular. You shall be sorry!
Warning in the affirmative and negative sentences. Put on your coat, you shall be sick.