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Page 1: Modal Verbs - kpe12.files.wordpress.com · 03.01.2020  · Exercises Final Test IllustratedWorkbook ... For example: We should eat vegetables. Should is a modal verb. It shows that

Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

1 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Really Learn English

Modal Verbs Should, Ought to, and Had Better

Rules

Examples

Stories

Exercises

Final Test

Illustrated

Workbook

License number 841393 given to KP Wee ([email protected])

Page 2: Modal Verbs - kpe12.files.wordpress.com · 03.01.2020  · Exercises Final Test IllustratedWorkbook ... For example: We should eat vegetables. Should is a modal verb. It shows that

Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

2 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

For more resources visit the Really Learn English Store.

Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

Published by Really Learn English

www.really-learn-english.com

Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form, by any means,

without written permission from the author,

except a reviewer, who may quote

brief passages for a review.

License number 841393 given to KP Wee ([email protected])

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

3 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ........................................................................................ 3

Modal Verbs ................................................................................................ 5

Semi-Modal Verbs ......................................................................................11

Unit A – Should...........................................................................................15

Lesson 1 – Expressing What Is Best with Should .....................................15

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................17

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................18

Exercise 3 – Role Play ..............................................................................20

Story 1 – Should ..................................................................................22

Unit B – Ought to........................................................................................23

Lesson 1 – Expressing Obligation with Ought to ......................................23

Exercise 4 ................................................................................................25

Exercise 5 ................................................................................................27

Exercise 6 – Role Play ..............................................................................29

Story 2 – Ought To ..............................................................................31

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

4 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Unit C – Had Better ....................................................................................32

Lesson 1 – Showing Obligation with Had Better ......................................32

Exercise 7 ................................................................................................35

Exercise 8 ................................................................................................36

Exercise 9 – Role Play ..............................................................................38

Story 3 – Had Better ............................................................................39

Rule Summary ............................................................................................40

Should, Ought to, and Had Better .......................................................40

Contraction .........................................................................................40

Usages.................................................................................................40

Positive Sentences, Negative Sentences, and Questions .....................41

Final Test ....................................................................................................42

License number 841393 given to KP Wee ([email protected])

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

5 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are special kinds of verbs in English. They show things like

ability, possibility, necessity, obligation, or permission.

For example: We should eat vegetables. Should is a modal verb. It shows

that something is a good idea or the best thing to do.

Modal verbs are special because they cannot be used alone. They must

always be used with another verb in its base form.

For example: “We should” is not a complete sentence. It simply means

something is the best thing for us to do, but we don’t know what. We must

use another verb after should: We should eat vegetables.

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

6 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Some more examples:

Correct: She should read this book.

Incorrect: She should this book.

Correct: You should have coffee with us.

Incorrect: You should coffee with us.

Correct: We should start the lesson!

Incorrect: We should the lesson!

Quick Exercise 1

Explain in your own words: What are modal verbs? What’s special about

them?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

7 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Modal verbs have only one form. We don't add -ing, -ed, or -s to them.

For example:

Correct: She should listen.

Incorrect: She shoulds listen.

Correct: We should travel more.

Incorrect: We are shoulding travel more.

Correct: They said we should visit this park.

Incorrect: They said we shoulded visit this park.

Modal verbs have a special sentence structure for negative sentences and

questions.

To form questions, we use the modal verb itself and change the order.

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

8 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

For example:

Correct: Should he come to the meeting today?

Incorrect: Does he should come to the meeting today?

Correct: Should you get up earlier?

Incorrect: Should do you get up earlier?

Correct: Should we go to the museum?

Incorrect: Will we should go to the museum?

Quick Exercise 2

Write 3 questions using the modal verb should.

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

9 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

To form negative sentences, we use the modal verb itself and add "not" or

"n't" to it.

For example:

Correct: He shouldn’t worry about it.

Incorrect: He doesn’t should worry about it.

Correct: We shouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.

Incorrect: We won’t should leave without saying goodbye.

Correct: You shouldn’t spend so much time on the computer.

Incorrect: You do not should spend so much time on the computer.

Quick Exercise 3

Write 3 negative sentences using the modal verb should.

For example: I shouldn’t eat too much candy.

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

10 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

As we saw, one very common modal verb is should. This modal verb is used

to say that something is a good idea, or that it is the best thing to do.

For example:

I should ask for help.

Jim should take a break.

You should explain your opinion at the meeting.

Notice that in all of the sentences above, should is followed directly by

another verb in its base form. The modal verb should only shows that

something is the best thing to do. The idea is not complete without another

verb!

Incorrect: We should our schedule.

This sentence doesn’t make sense! What should we do with our schedule?

Correct: We should change our schedule.

Now the idea is complete. Remember

that a modal verb must always be

followed by another verb in its base form.

As you can see, the grammar of modal

verbs is very simple! This is great!

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

11 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Semi-Modal Verbs

Semi- means partly. So semi-modal verbs are “verbs that are partly like

modal verbs.”

Semi-modal verbs have this name because they are partly like modal verbs

and partly like regular verbs. This is because they show the same meaning

as modal verbs, but they follow the grammar of regular verbs.

Almost every modal verb has a semi-modal verb with a similar meaning.

For example, should is a modal verb. Ought to is a semi-modal verb

because it has the preposition “to.” Both verbs show that something is the

best thing to do.

For example:

Should: She should try playing basketball.

Ought to: She ought to try playing basketball.

Should: They should read this book.

Ought to: They ought to read this book.

Should: You should take a picture of that zebra!

Ought to: You ought to take a picture of that zebra!

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

12 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

In this booklet, we will study two semi-modal verbs. They are ought to and

had better. Had better has a similar meaning to should and ought to, but it

is stronger. It means that someone should do something, or there will be

negative consequences. A “consequence” is a negative result for an action.

These are semi-modal verbs because they are longer than normal modal

verbs, which are just one word.

Semi-modal verbs usually follow regular grammar rules for normal English

verbs, but ought to and had better are special!

Just like regular modal verbs, ought to and had better do not change their

forms. We don't add -ing, -ed, or -s to them.

For example:

Correct: He ought to arrive on time

Incorrect: He oughts to arrive on time.

Correct: We ought to go on vacation!

Incorrect: We are oughting to go on vacation!

Correct: We ought to call her.

Incorrect: We oughted to call her.

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

13 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Ought to and had better are also special because we do not use them in

questions. We only use the modal verb should in questions!

For example:

Correct: Should he sit down while he waits?

Incorrect: Had he better sit down while he waits?

Correct: Should I bring a book to read?

Incorrect: Ought I to bring a book to read?

The negative form of ought to is ought not to. The negative form of had

better is had better not.

Ought not to has the same meaning as shouldn’t. It means that it is not a

good idea to do something. Had better not is similar, but it has a stronger

meaning. If you had better not do something, it means that you really

shouldn’t do it, or there will be trouble!

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

14 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Here are some examples:

Correct: You ought not to think about the presentation.

Incorrect: You ought to not think about the presentation.

Correct: He had better not forget today’s meeting!

Incorrect: He had not better forget today’s meeting!

Quick Exercise 4

What is a semi-modal verb? What is special about how we use ought to and

had better?

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

License number 841393 given to KP Wee ([email protected])

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

15 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Unit A – Should

Lesson 1 – Expressing What Is Best with Should

The modal verb should talks about the best thing for us to do. If you say,

“He should do it,” that means you think that the best idea is for him to do

it. If we want to use the negative form, we use should not or shouldn’t.

We use should very often if we want to give or ask for advice.

For example:

I think you should stop smoking.

If you ask me, he should tell his boss what he thinks.

They should talk less during the meetings.

What should we do today?

Where do you think he should go to college?

When should they call Emily?

He shouldn’t be so negative.

They shouldn’t stay up so late at night.

You shouldn’t go to work today!

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

16 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

It is important to remember that we don’t use should in the simple past or

the simple future! Should talks about the best thing to do, so it really talks

about a possible action, not something we already did.

We understand that should talks about the present or the very near future.

For example, if I say, “You should review the examples,” I mean that I think

it’s a very good idea for you to review the examples right now or in the near

future.

Quick Exercise 5

Ask for advice on 3 problems. Then give advice about each problem.

For example: What should we do this weekend? We should go to the park.

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

17 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 1

A. Box 1 has questions asking for advice. Box 2 has suggestions about the

best thing to do. Match the questions from Box 1 with the suggestions

from Box 2.

Box 1 – Asking for advice

1. What time should I call you?

2. Where should we go for dinner?

3. Who should I talk to about math classes?

4. Should I try this juice?

5. Should I travel by bus?

Box 2 – Suggestions

a. Yes, you should! It’s delicious!

b. You should call at 2:45pm.

c. You should speak to Cynthia.

d. No, you should take the subway.

e. We should try the new Thai restaurant.

1. ________

2. ________

3. ________

4. ________

5. ________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

18 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 2

A. Look at the pictures and descriptions below. Write sentences for each

picture.

1. That pizza looks good. The best thing the chef

can do is put some cheese on it.

He ____________________________________

_______________________________________

2. Stan looks so stressed! It’s a good idea for him

to relax.

He ____________________________________

_______________________________________

3. He has an excellent idea! The best thing to do

is write it down.

He ____________________________________

_______________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

19 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

B. Look at each picture and description. Write the advice each person will

give you (what they think is the best thing for you to do).

1. He thinks that the best thing to do is laugh

every day.

You _________________________________

_____________________________________

2. He thinks that the best thing to do is test your

ideas.

You _________________________________

_____________________________________

3. She thinks that the best thing to do is make

new friends.

You __________________________________

______________________________________

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Page 20: Modal Verbs - kpe12.files.wordpress.com · 03.01.2020  · Exercises Final Test IllustratedWorkbook ... For example: We should eat vegetables. Should is a modal verb. It shows that

Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

20 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 3 – Role Play

A. Work with a partner. First, rewrite the questions below using “should.”

These questions all ask for advice. Then look at the pictures and

descriptions on the next page. Choose one of the pictures and pretend to

be that person. Your partner will ask you for advice using the questions

you made together. You will answer as the person in the picture. Then

change roles.

1. What is the best thing to do to be healthy?

What should I ________________________________________________

2. What is the best thing to do to be happy?

What should I ________________________________________________

3. What is the best thing to do to relax?

What should I ________________________________________________

4. What is the best thing to do to learn about the world?

What should I ________________________________________________

5. What is the best thing to do to learn English?

What should I ________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

21 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

□ Partner A

She thinks it is best to:

Take long walks to keep in shape

Spend time with family to feel good

Go outside to reduce stress

Travel and learn about other places

Talk to people as much as you can

□ Partner B

He thinks it is best to:

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Laugh with friends to feel good

Read a book quietly to feel calm

Read a lot about different places to

understand them

Study lots of vocabulary and grammar

to improve your English

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

22 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Story 1 – Should

Carla and Georgia are friends. Carla wants advice, so she asks Georgia.

“I’m thinking about getting an apartment of my own, but I’m not sure. I’m

very forgetful, and my mom helps me a lot now. What should I do?”

“Well,” says Georgia, “you should talk to your mom about it.”

“I did, and she thinks I should start looking for a place!” replies Carla.

“Great,” Georgia says. “You should think of how to be more organized. You

should make lists for yourself so you don’t forget what you have to do.”

“Should I write down dates for paying bills?” asks Carla.

“That’s a great example! But you should also make lists for other things,

like doing the laundry or watering the plants,” suggests Georgia.

“That’s a great idea! You should help me. You’re so organized. Let’s go start

practicing right now!” says Carla, standing up.

“Well, here’s a first step,” says Georgia. “I think that before we leave, we

shouldn’t forget to pay!”

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

23 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Unit B – Ought to

Lesson 1 – Expressing Obligation with Ought to

As we saw, ought to is a semi-modal verb because it has “to” attached to it.

Remember that ought to follows the same grammar rules as modal verbs,

so we don’t add “-s,” “-ed,” or “-ing” to it. But we always use “to” after it,

right before our verb!

The negative of ought to is ought not to. It is very uncommon to use

“oughtn’t to.”

Ought to has the same meaning as should, but it sounds a bit more formal.

Remember that just like should, we only use ought to in the simple present

because it talks about the best thing to do in the present or in the near

future.

Here are some examples:

I think you ought to take some time off.

They ought to come with us to the movie.

I ought to try going to dance lessons.

You ought not to watch too much television.

You ought not to miss the program on

dolphins tonight!

Children ought not to cross the street alone.

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

24 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

It’s important to remember that we don’t usually use ought to in questions.

If we want to ask about the best thing for us to do, we use should.

For example:

Correct: Should we pack our own lunches?

Incorrect: Ought we to pack our own lunches?

Correct: When should I visit you?

Incorrect: When ought I to visit you?

Quick Exercise 6

Write about 3 things you ought to do and 3 things you ought not to do.

For example: I ought to eat healthy. I ought not to drink so much coffee.

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

25 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 4

A. Rewrite the following sentences with “ought to” or “ought not to.”

1. Everyone should listen to this CD!

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. It’s not a good idea for you to walk there. It’s too far!

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. The best thing is for them to meet the new supervisor today.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. It’s not a good idea for her to take the test unless she’s ready.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. It’s a great idea for us to buy the tickets while they’re on sale.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

26 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

B. Read the following questions asking for advice. Then answer them

using sentences with “ought to.” Say what you think is best!

1. Should I wear a dress to the party, or should I wear something informal?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. Should the children play outside, or should they paint pictures inside?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. It’s raining! Should I go to the movies, or should I stay home and read?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. I feel very tired. Should I take a nap, or should I have a strong cup of tea?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. I don’t understand. Should I ask a question, or should I look it up later?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

27 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 5

A. Look at the following pictures and descriptions. Write sentences for

each one using “ought to” or “ought not to.”

1. They opened a new Natural History Museum!

It’s a great idea to go.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

2. It’s a beautiful day! It would be a terrible idea

to stay inside.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

3. There is a new fish at the aquarium! It’s a great

idea to take our daughter to see it.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

28 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

4. There are new tennis courts at the school! It’s

a wonderful idea for us to go play tennis.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

5. His magic tricks are so amazing! It’s a bad idea

to ask how he does them.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

6. The mouse looks so happy! It’s not a nice idea

to take his cheese.

We _____________________________________

________________________________________

7. Naomi and Eden live in a beautiful new house.

It’s a great idea to go and visit them!

We _____________________________________

________________________________________

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Modal Verbs: Should, Ought to, and Had Better

29 | www-really-learn-english.com | Copyright © 2014 Ola Zur

Exercise 6 – Role Play

A. Janice and Eric have very different opinions! They are good friends, but

they have different ideas about what is best. You can ask them for advice.

Eric will give you one idea, and Janice will say the opposite! Work with a

partner.

Choose to be Partner A or Partner B. Look at the next page and read the

advice Janice or Eric give you out loud to your partner. Your partner must

tell you the opposite of each idea. Then switch roles and let your partner

read his or her advice. Say the opposite!

For example:

Partner A: Janice says I ought to see the new adventure movie.

Partner B: Eric says you ought not to see it!

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□ Partner A – You ask Janice

Janice says I ought to read this book about astronauts.

She also says I ought not to eat broccoli.

Janice says I ought not to take my cell phone to class.

She says I ought to adopt a puppy.

Janice says I ought to take some swimming lessons.

She says I ought to listen to more new music.

She also says I ought not to study so much history.

□ Partner B – You ask Eric

Eric says I ought to watch this documentary about sharks.

He also says I ought not to swim with real sharks!

Eric says I ought not to listen to the radio in the morning.

He says I ought to write all my ideas in a notebook.

Eric says I ought to go explore the mountains.

He says I ought to walk to class every day.

He also says I ought not to drink juice with my breakfast.

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Story 2 – Ought To

Two friends, Vera and Kelly, talk about their plans

for the weekend.

“What should we do this weekend?” Vera asks.

“I think we ought to do something outside because

the weather will be nice,” Kelly suggests.

“Great idea! We ought to go to the park,” Vera says, nodding.

Kelly thinks about it for a moment. “I think we ought to go to the sports

center for some exercise.”

“Oh,” Vera smiles, “they have a new volleyball court. We ought to play!”

“That sounds great!” Kelly says. “I’ll call some friends to play with us.”

“Awesome! I like meeting your friends,” Vera says, and then adds, “I ought

to bring enough apples for everyone in case somebody forgets a healthy

snack.”

“Yes, and we ought to bring extra water bottles and knee pads, too,” Kelly

replies.

“What about a camera? Maybe we ought to bring the camera in case we

want to take pictures after the game!” Vera says.

“That all sounds good,” Kelly agrees. “Great planning ahead! But really, I

think we ought not to forget the volleyball!”

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Unit C – Had Better

Lesson 1 – Showing Obligation with Had Better

The semi-modal verb had better has a similar meaning to should and ought

to, but it is stronger.

If you say, “He had better arrive on time!” you mean that the best thing is

for him to remember, because if he does not, it will be a problem. There

will be negative consequences if he does not arrive on time (for example,

you will be upset or he will be in trouble).

We only use had better in the simple present because it talks about the

best thing to do in the present or in the near future. Remember that we

don’t change the form of had better. We don’t add “-s,” “-ed,” or “-ing.”

For example:

We had better hurry, or we will be late!

I had better clean my room before Mom sees it.

You had better study if you want to pass the test.

They had better call if they will not attend the meeting.

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The negative of had better is had better not. This means that it’s a very bad

idea to do something. If we say, “He had better not spill anything on the

new carpet,” it means that there will be negative consequences if he spills

anything on the carpet.

For example:

Correct: They had better not call after 9:00pm.

Incorrect: They had not better call after 9:00pm.

Correct: She had better not lose her keys!

Incorrect: She not had better lose her keys!

Here are some more examples:

We had better not miss our flight!

My boss had better not give me any more work today.

The cat had better not sleep on my clean clothes!

I had better not forget my camera when I go on vacation.

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Quick Exercise 7

Write 3 things you had better do and 3 things you had better not do.

For example: I had better do my homework. I had better not miss class.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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Exercise 7

A. Rewrite the following sentences with “had better” or “had better not.”

1. Justin really should remember to take his coat.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. We really ought to replace the broken window.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

3. It will be terrible if we miss Felicity’s concert.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. It will be really bad if they leave their passports at home!

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. George really should prepare the food before the guests arrive.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

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Exercise 8

A. Look at the pictures and descriptions. Say what each person had better

do.

1. The team needs her support! She really should

cheer very loud.

She ____________________________________

_______________________________________

2. He has a very busy day tomorrow. He really

ought to sleep well tonight.

He ____________________________________

_______________________________________

3. There is a lot of work to do! She really should

start working early in the morning.

She ___________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

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B. Look at the pictures and descriptions. Say what we had better not do.

1. The sign says to go right. It is a really bad idea

to go left.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

2. It’s almost time for our appointment. We really

should not arrive late.

We ____________________________________

_______________________________________

3. The river is beautiful, but it looks dangerous!

It is a bad idea to swim there.

We ___________________________________

______________________________________

4. That cake is so big! It’s a bad idea to eat the

whole thing.

We __________________________________

______________________________________

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Exercise 9 – Role Play

A. Choose one of the pictures below. Read the sentences about the

person in the picture out loud to your partner. Your partner will give you

advice using “had better.” Then you will switch roles.

For example:

Partner A: I will be in trouble if I don’t finish my homework.

Partner B: Well, then you had better finish it!

□ Partner A

I will be in trouble if:

I let the fire die

I lose the map

I burn the food

I don’t clean the campsite

I don’t pick up all the trash

I don’t cook dinner for the other scouts

□ Partner B

I will be in trouble if:

I hurt myself

I lose control of the ball

I let the other team take the ball

I don’t practice

I don’t pay attention to my teammates

I don’t kick the ball hard

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Story 3 – Had Better

Oscar and Rose are very excited for

Christmas and opening their presents. They

want to help get ready.

“The star is missing!” says Oscar. “We had

better put it on top of the tree.”

“Yes,” Rose agrees, “and we had better

make some snacks for Santa Claus in case

he’s hungry after delivering all those

presents!”

“We had better be very good today. If not, we won’t get good presents!”

says Oscar, sounding a little worried.

“Yes. We had better eat all our vegetables today!” agrees Rose.

“Definitely. We are going to behave so well! Oh, Daddy needs to clean the

garage today. We had better help him!” Oscar says.

“That’s a good idea,” replies Rose. “We’ll help Mommy with dinner, too.”

“Wow, being good is a lot of work!” says Oscar. “Mommy and Daddy had

better notice it and tell Santa Claus!”

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Rule Summary

Should, Ought to, and Had Better

Who? Present Past Future

I/He/She/It You/We/They

should ought to

had better - -

Contraction

should shouldn’t

Usages

Usages Should Ought to Had Better

Usage 1

To show something is the best thing to do in

the present or the near future.

To show something is the best thing to do in the

present or the near future.

(It sounds more formal than “should”)

To show something is the best thing to do in the

present or the near future and that there will be

negative consequences if the action is not done.

Examples James should join our

running team. Terry ought to read this

novel. Christian had better finish

all his work by 6:00pm.

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Positive Sentences, Negative Sentences,

and Questions

Simple Present

Should Ought to Had Better

Positive I should walk. I ought to walk. I had better walk.

Negative I shouldn’t walk. I ought not to

walk. I had better not

walk.

Question Should I walk? - -

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Final Test

A. Write sentences about what the best thing for these people to do. Use

“should” or “had better.” (5 points each)

1. The best thing for Ben to do is write a letter to his sister.

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2. The best thing for Linda to do is get ready for her interview.

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. Tim really ought to go to the meeting. There will be trouble if he doesn’t.

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

4. The best thing for Jenny to do is study her vocabulary.

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5. Nick really ought to tie his shoes. He will fall if he doesn’t.

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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B. Match the questions from Table 1 with the advice from Table 2.

(3 points each)

Table 1

1. What should I have for lunch?

2. Where should they go on vacation?

3. Should I tell the supervisor I made a mistake?

4. What time should we meet?

5. What instrument should she learn to play?

Table 1

a. We ought to get together around noon.

b. I think they should spend some time in the mountains.

c. You ought to have the Caeser salad. It’s excellent.

d. In my opinion, she should take guitar lessons.

e. Yes, I think you had better tell her!

1. ________

2. ________

3. ________

4. ________

5. ________

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C. Choose the correct modal or semi-modal verb to complete the

sentence. (3 points each)

1. Why _______________ I trust him?

a. should

b. ought

c. had better

2. We _______________ to fix the stairs. Someone might get hurt! That

would be terrible.

a. should

b. ought

c. had better

3. She says we _______________ stay in this hotel because it’s the nicest.

a. should

b. ought

c. had better

4. _______________ they use the company account for this trip?

a. should

b. ought

c. had better

5. The children _______________ to do more art in school.

a. should

b. ought

c. had better

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D. Write advice for each question using “ought to.” (5 points each)

1. Meredith doesn’t know which class to take. She thinks the art history

course sounds very interesting, but the physics class will be more useful.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

2. Chris and Dennis want to take dance lessons. But before they can start,

they need to pay the class fee.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3. Laura loves animals. Her neighbor is moving, and he asks her to adopt his

dog. She especially loves dogs!

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4. The class doesn’t understand the math lesson. The teacher gives them

more homework. He says they must do the homework to understand.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5. Lindsay can’t decide if she wants to have soup or salad with her lunch.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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E. Write sentences for each situation using “had better” or “had better

not.” (5 points each)

1. Liam wants to play baseball in the house, but this will make his father

very angry!

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

2. Robert has a presentation today. It’s important for him to practice, or he

will not give a good explanation of the project.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3. Clare’s car is making strange noises. It might have a serious problem later

if she doesn’t get it fixed soon!

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4. Kathryn has a lot of work. She is thinking about taking a vacation, but if

she leaves work now, she will be in trouble with her boss.

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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