I. Obligation

(Advisability, desirability)

You should take better care of your health.

You should not smoke so much.

You should not be wasting your time now.

II. Criticism of a Past action.

You should have come in time.

You should not have done it.

III. Supposition implying strong probability.

The climate should be good here.

She should make a good teacher.

Exercise 1.

Translate the following sentences with the modal verb ‘should’ denoting obligation or advisability.

1. From what you tell me you’re going to have a busy day tomorrow. You should get all the sleep you can. In fact, I think you should go to your room right away. (White)

2. You would be best advised to spend the day with Alice and learn more about your household. No doubt there will be callers and you should be there to receive them. (S.H.)

3. The beauty of life, he says , is nothing but this, that each should act in conformity with his nature and his business. (S.M.)

4. Never mind what I say, Robert! I am always saying what I shouldn’t say. (O.W.)

5. “Maybe I should talk to Richard,” she offered, “and get his reaction.” (Updike)

6. “What should we have to do? she breathed.” (A.Chr.)

7. But even as I said the words, I felt a pang. Poor little place! It shouldn’t be so dirty and ugly. (Banks)

8. He was never at home when he should be. (Brod.)

9. Don’t tire your eyes. Dr. Albony says you shouldn’t read in bed at all. (Updike)

10. You shouldn’t stay here. (Updike)

Exercise 2.

Translate the following sentences with the modal verb ‘should’ denoting a desirable action, which was not carried out, or criticism of the past action.

1. And although I don’t know who this chap was that you say now you should have married, I don’t believe he was your big thing. (Banks)

2. … when I reached the telephone, he had grown tired of waiting and had rung off. I should never have allowed Miss Wickham to take me away from the house. (P.W.)

3. I’ve been guilty. Shouted when I should have shut up. Shut up when I should have shouted. (Donl.)

4. You’re mad at me. I shouldn’t have come. (Updike)

5. That was a bit of a blow, I should never have taken my wife to his party. (Bern)

6. The frightened eyes shifted, looked away. “I shouldn’t have said anything. He doesn’t like me to talk about his business.” (Went.)

7. Didn’t he say anything to you about it? You should have asked him. (O’Hara)

8. When you put yourself into their shoes it is generally easy to see what has caused them to do things they should not have done and excuses can be found for them. (S.M.)

9. Involuntarily he said, “I’ll be lost without you when you’re away this summer.” Her cheek coloured slightly. She looked out of the window. He asked impulsively, “Shouldn’t I have said that?” (Cr.)

Exercise 3.

State the meaning of the verb ‘should’ in the following sentences. Translate them into Russian.

1. It is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn’t. More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read. (O.W.)

2. I don’t want to hurt you. You mustn’t be hurt, you shouldn’t be. I should never have met you. I should never have seen you again. (Brod.)

3. You shouldn’t have come here, Gracy, I’m busy. (Cr.)

4. “You should have another candle,” said Axel, “lest you strain your eyes in such a dim light.” (S.H.)

5. “Perhaps I should tell you more about my family,” Axel said as we dined on Monday night. (S.H.)

6. If papers are private and not meant to be looked at, they shouldn’t be laid out on a table. (A.Chr.)

7. “You should never have told him about it!” said Miss Waynflete. “Nonsense, what else could we do?” Bridget said. (A.Chr.)

8. You shouldn’t have come out by yourself. It was absolute madness. (A.Chr.)

9. She told me exactly what I should say. (S.M.)

10. Stories shouldn’t end in the middle but the middle is where I am – the middle of my life. (I’m thirty-four.) (Banks)

11. Dear Gertrude Chiltern is always telling me that I should have some serious purpose in life. So I come here to try to find one. (O.W.)

12. I suppose he did read the letter and then went straight to tell Alice and to ask what he should do. (S.H.)

13. As we went out, I noticed a key in the door “Should we lock it, perhaps?” I asked. (Banks)

Exercise 4.

Translate the following sentences paying attention to the form of the infinitive after the modal verb ‘should’.

1. I suppose I should have been grateful for his consideration but I was not. (S.H.)

2. Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. (S.M.)

3. As if reading Conway’s mind again Stillman said, “I think we should go back now.” (White)

4. It was time he should be getting ready. Yet he remained sitting on the bed. (Law.)

5. You shouldn’t be lingering here. Hurry to your room and change into something warm before you catch a chill. (S.H.)

6. “Despite your new authority, which should make you set an example of tolerance and good behaviour at least, you are becoming bad-tempered. O’Mara replied sternly. (Write)”

7. We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow and you should get plenty of rest to avoid becoming too tired. (S.H.)

8. I am so unhappy. I should never have married Geoffrey. I never loved him. (Cr.)

9. “I should not discuss patients with patients.” – “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you.” (Bern)

10. Conway described the patient’s condition and urged that he should be evacuated as quickly as possible. (White)

11. I think you should have told her years ago about it. (O.W.)

12. You should see to it that your cousin is not alone. (White)

13. “We shouldn’t have come,” he said after a moment. (Baxt.)

14. He said coldly, “Somebody should think about these things, Doctor.” (White)

15. “I wonder how Mary is.” My voice sounded as if my throat were parched. “Perhaps we should go and find out.” (S.H.)

Exercise 5.

Give advice in answer to the following statements. Use the word combinations in brackets.

Model:

I’ve got a terrible headache

You should take an aspirin and go to bed.

1. I’ve been sleeping badly of late. (to take a walk in the evening)

2. I have a slight irritation in my throat (to smoke less)

3. She makes a lot of spelling mistakes. (to copy passages out of a book)

4. It’s hard to make him get up in the morning (not to let smb watch television late at night)

5. The secretary must be out. There’s no one there. (to try the room next door)

6. She may have forgotten about her promise. (to phone and remind her.)

7. The students seem unable to follow what he is saying. (not to speak so fast)

8. I’m bored with my job. (to look for another job)

9. I think I have a cold. I’m sneezing and coughing. (to consult a doctor)

10. I’ve lost my bag. (to report to the police)

Exercise 6.

What would you advise your friend who:

1. eats too much and is overweight.

2. is unhappy in her job.

3. is often late for classes

4. is going to marry the man you disapprove of

5. keeps late hours

6. works too much

7. makes a lot of grammar mistakes

8. is going on a journey around the world

9. often catches a cold

10. has fallen behind the group

Exercise 7.

Criticize the actions named in the following sentences.

Model:

1. I did not buy the book.

You should have bought the book.

2. She did not tell him about it.

She should have told him about it.

Why keep him in the dark?

3. I took him to the pictures.

You should not have taken him to the pictures.

1. We forgot to leave a message for her.

2. We did not wait for them. It was beginning to rain.

3. I did not put down her address, and I clean forgot it.

4. I have not seen the film. I was too busy and did not go.

5. We did not feel like going anywhere. We just stayed at home.

6. I sat in the sun all day.

7. Ann went to the country in that nasty weather.

8. I borrowed your car in the morning.

9. I overslept in the morning and was late for work.

10. My husband did not feel well yesterday but he went to work.

Exercise 8.

Change the following expressions of advice into criticism of a past action by changing the form of the Infinitive.

Model:

1. You should not say such things.

Не надо так говорить.

2. You should not have said such things.

Не надо было так говорить.

1. You should try again.

2. He should speak to her about it.

3. They should keep that dog chained.

4. You should not eat starchy food.

5. She should not go out in such weather.

6. You should not buy a hat which does not go with anything else you’ve got.

7. You should switch off the lights when you go out.

8. He should not forget to take his medicine.

9. You should spend more time out-of-doors.

10. Her mother should not let her read such trash.

Exercise 9.

Recast the following sentences so as to use the modal verb ‘should’.

1. It’s a pity you were beside yourself with anger.

2. I think you must keep an eye on her to know more about her.

3. I’m sorry you didn’t get on with your friends. You were not right.

4. It’s a pity you work by fits and starts.

5. I have advised her to have the figures at her finger-tips (ends).

6. I don’t think it was clever of them to argue with him. They were not right.

7. I think you’d better take the rough with the smooth.

8. I’m sorry the boy let himself in for it.

9. It’s a pity you didn’t call on your friend long ago. He is in a predicament.

10. I don’t advise you to keep late hours.

11. I advise you not to stare at people like that. It’s impolite.

12. I’d like you do me a favour.

13. I don’t advise you to insist on their putting up with it. It won’t improve the situation.

Exercise 10.

Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the Infinitive.

1. He should not (to give) the choice – he should (to go) with you.

2. He should (to pass) the letter to her, as the letter was addressed to her.

3. You should (to take) more exercise to improve your pronunciation.

4. You should (to phone) them at once. Now it is late.

5. She shouldn’t (to wear) the coat. It is warm today.

6. I shouldn’t (to say) that, I am sure.

7. You should (to think) over this offer once more, before rejecting it.

8. This question should (to settle) long ago.

9. He should (to reject) the invitation. He was busy.

10. You should (to devote) much time to your studies. They are very important.

11. This sofa should (to take) away from here. It is too large for this room.

12. His offer should (to accept).

13. This work should (to praise). It’s valuable.

14. The agreement should (to sign).

15. The question should (settle) without delay.

Exercise 11.

Complete the following sentences using the modal verb ‘should’.

1. I don’t think I … .

2. I think there are many things we … .

3. Now she told me exactly what I …. .

4. It was a mistake to have come. I … .

5. Your note escaped my memory. I … .

6. Your eyesight is poor. You … .

7. You seem to think that everybody … .

8. I thought about what I … .

9. When one is dictating one … .

10. That is exactly what he … .

11. Of course the house is a very nice one and we … .

12. I beg your pardon, I suppose I … .

13. Your mother had a long and exhausting day and she … .

Exercise 12.

Translate into English.

A.

1. Вы бы сказали ей об этом.

2. Не следует там так поздно оставаться.

3. Ей надо сейчас же пойти к врачу.

4. Лучше наденьте шерстяные носки.

5. Им лучше начать пораньше.

6. Не следует говорить с ней по-английски.

7. Вам нужно повернуть направо.

8. Лучше скажите кому-нибудь об этом.

B.

1. Надо было сказать ей об этом.

2. Не надо было оставаться там так поздно.

3. Ей надо было сейчас же пойти к врачу.

4. Вам надо было надеть шерстяные носки.

5. Им надо было начать пораньше.

6. Не следовало говорить с ней по-английски.

7. Надо было повернуть направо.

8. Надо было кому-нибудь сказать об этом.

Exercise 13.

Translate into English. Use ‘should’ + indefinite infinitive’ to express advice; ‘should’+ perfect infinitive’ to express criticism of a past action.

Model:

1. Вам надо больше читать.

You should read more.

2. Вам надо было больше читать.

You should have read more.

1. Ей надо было сразу это сказать.

2. Вам надо было спросить его.

3. Детей надо учить плавать.

4. Это надо делать так.

5. Вам не надо было ехать на автобусе.

6. Им надо больше говорить по-английски.

7. Вам надо было извиниться.

8. Вы бы не спорили, если не уверены в фактах.

9. Напрасно вы возражали.

10. Напрасно вы так думаете.

11. Им лучше выйти пораньше.

12. Вам нужно повернуть налево.

13. Вам надо было повернуть там.

14. Не надо было брать так много вещей.

15. Ей надо взять хороший плащ.

Exercise 14.

Change the following sentences so as to express supposition by using ‘should’.

Model:

1. She knows all about it.

- She should know all about it.

2. She will grow up pretty.

- She should grow up pretty.

1. The weather will be good tomorrow.

2. It’s somewhere here.

3. He will be here by 9 o’clock.

4. The climate is very good here.

5. The sweater will look nice with your tweed jacket.

6. She will be very glad to see you.

7. The nights are cold up there in the mountains.

8. It must be cold out-of-doors.

9. She must be quite grown up by now.

10. He will feel better after this.

11. That must be practically all.

12. They must be nearly through now.

Exercise 15.

Translate into English.

1. Вам не следовало поднимать шум по пустякам, без серьезной причины.

2. Вопрос об операции следовало бы решить уже давно.

3. Матери следовало бы больше времени уделять своему ребенку во время болезни.

4. Магазин закрыт сейчас. Вам следовало бы сделать покупки по пути домой.

5. Вам нужно взять зонт. Дождь льет как из ведра.

6. Вам бы лучше выбрать другую тему для разговора.

7. Вам не следует так много курить.

8. Ему нужно больше работать в лингафонной лаборатории.

9. Детям следует заботиться о своих родителях.

10. Ей следует писать диктанты каждый день.

11. Вам не стоит разговаривать с матерью в таком тоне.

12. Студентам следует прочесть эту книгу в оригинале.

13. Вам следует больше читать.

14. Вам надо показываться зубному врачу раз в месяц.

Exercise 16.

Translate into English.

1. Вам следует быть более внимательным и не делать таких грубых ошибок.

2. Вы не должны задавать такие вопросы.

3. Вам бы следовало обратиться к друзьям.

4. Напрасно ты ему звонила. Нужно было прямо идти туда.

5. Тебе не следует расстраиваться по таким пустякам.

6. Вам следует помочь ей.

7. Ему бы следовало поговорить с вами.

8. Тебе не следовало бы заставлять его ждать так долго.

9. Вам следует вызвать врача. У вас сильный жар.

10. Вам следовало бы прислушаться у совету врача и бросить курить.

11. Если у вас болит зуб, вам следует обратиться к зубному врачу.

Exercise 17.

Discuss the following problem.

Charles, an American boy, is strong and healthy and a very good student. He’d like to be a doctor but his father is dead and his mother has two younger boys to support. Should he stop school after the twelfth grade and work until he has enough money to go to college? Should he try to work and study at the same time? Should he go to work when he finishes high school, help his mother educate his younger brothers and forget about college? What should he do?