Modals for giving advice and making suggestions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Modals for giving advice and making suggestions

should

You should do more travelling.

You shouldn’t drink so much diet coke.

ought to

You ought to do more travelling.

You ought not to drink so much diet coke.

had better

 Our car's tank is almost empty. We had better fill it up soon or we will run out of petrol/gas!

The airline only allows two pieces of luggage. You had better not pack too much or you will have to take it out at the airport!

Notice the difference: if you do not follow up on the advice, it will have negative consequences

If I were you (second conditional)

If I were you, I would be honest about what happened.

If I were you, I would study a little bit every day. You'll be more likely to succeed on the exam if you do.

If + past simple                         would + hele werkwoord

If I were her,

1. I listened to my mother.
2. I would listen to my mother.
3. I listen to my mother.
4. I should listen to my mother.

making suggestions

suggest

He suggests that I should go to New York.

He suggests that I go to New York.

He suggests I should go to New York.

He suggests I go to New York.

He suggests going to New York.

suggest (errors)

Typical errors

• We don’t use suggest + indirect object + to-infinitive when we suggest an action to someone:
  

He suggested that I should apply for a job in a bank or insurance company.

Not: He suggested me to apply …

• We don’t use suggest + to-infinitive:
  

Henry wanted to tell everyone, but Dora suggested waiting until the news had been announced officially.

Not: Dora suggested to wait …

recommend

I recommend writing your feelings down on paper.

The doctor recommended (that) he should stay in bed.

My friend recommended (that) I give up social media.

I recommend (that) you buy a more powerful laptop.

I recommend booking early, as this is a popular event

recommend (errors)

I recommend you to buy this amazing book.

Can you recommend me a good hotel.

I recommend to book early.

Write a sentence in the SECOND CONDITIONAL, starting with 'If I were you, ....'

Which modal verbs show advice?

1. have to
2. shouldn't
3. ought to
4. must

Which modals are used for giving advice?

1. might, should, ought to
2. had better, may, will
3. should, had better, will
4. should, had better, ought to

Choose the correct modal:
My advice would be that you ............. see a doctor.

1. should
2. have to
3. must
4. could