Modal verbs of advice in English communication

Giving advice isn’t always easy. But we’re here to break it down — especially when it comes to doing it in English. Modal verbs of advice are a key tool that helps speakers not only give suggestions but do so politely, appropriately, and with context in mind. These verbs are important both in professional emails and meetings, as well as in everyday situations, when you want to guide or support someone.

Contents

1. Main modals of advice: should, ought to, had better
2. How and when to use modals of advice
3. Differences in meaning and level of insistence
4. Common mistakes
5. Exercise
6. FAQs

Main modals of advice: should, ought to, had better

Let’s look at the modal verbs most commonly used for giving recommendations and advice:

1. Should
A neutral form of advice. Suitable for any context — both everyday and professional.

You should backup your files regularly.
Students should get enough sleep before the exam.
You should send a follow-up email after the interview.

2. Ought to
A synonym for should, but more formal. It’s more commonly used in written English, publications, or advice from authoritative sources.

You ought to review the contract carefully before signing it.
Citizens ought to participate in local elections.
Employees ought to follow the company’s dress code.

3. Had better (often used in the contracted form – ’d better)
A stronger form of advice, usually implying that something bad might happen if the advice is not followed.

You’d better leave now if you want to catch the last train.
He’d better apologize before things get worse.
You had better not forget your passport — they won’t let you board the plane.

Forms
Modal verbs	Affirmative form	Negative form	Questions
Should + V	You should call her.	You should not (shouldn’t) call her.	Should you call her?
Ought to + V	You ought to call her.	You ought not to call her.	Ought you to call hеr? (rarely used, most often replaced by should in questions)
Had better ('d better) + V	You’d better call her.	You'd better not call her.	Had you better call her? (rarely used, most often replaced by should in interrogative sentences)

How and when to use modals of advice

Although should, ought to, and had better all suggest a desirable or correct course of action, they each carry subtle differences in meaning that become clearer in specific situations. Let’s take a look at how these verbs are used in typical real-life contexts.

Situations	Examples
Job hunting	You should update your LinkedIn profile.
Job hunting	You had better arrive at least 10 minutes early.
Education	Students ought to revise before exams.
Education	You should ask questions if you don't understand.
Travelling	You should check visa requirements before booking.
Travelling	You had better not forget your travel insurance.

Differences in meaning and level of insistence

Modal verbs differ in the degree of urgency or insistence they express when giving advice. In other words, they show how important it is to follow the advice. Here’s a comparison table:

Modal verbs	Tone	Typical context	Examples
Should	Neutral advice	Everyday life, work, education	You should drink more water.
Ought to	Formal advice	Written communication, recommendations	You ought to listen carefully.
Had better	Strong advice with a warning	Urgent situations	You had better leave now.

Common mistakes

1. Usage of should and had better with to. After these verbs, the infinitive is used without to.

✗ You should ~~to call~~ him.
✓ You should call him.

✗ He had better ~~to stay~~ at home.
✓ He had better stay at home.

2. Incorrect negation of had better. The negative form of this verb can be confusing, so pay attention to the word order in negation: had better not. It’s easy to remember if you use the contracted form — you’d better not.

✗ You ~~had not better~~ forget.
✓ You had better not forget.

✗ She had not better be late.
✓ She had better not be late.

3. Using must to mean “should” can be misleading. Must expresses a strong obligation, while should is used for giving advice or making recommendations. Take a look at the difference:

You must wear a seatbelt. (law)
You should eat healthier. (advice)

After reviewing real-life situations and common mistakes with modal verbs of advice, we can conclude that:

it’s important to learn not just the grammar, but also the context in which these verbs sound natural;
it’s better to practise using them in real conversations;
and there’s no need to be afraid of giving advice in English.

And if you want to delve deeper into the topic of modal verbs, we recommend reading our other articles:

Exercise

By doing grammar exercises, you’ll not only remember new rules better but also be able to use them correctly in real-life situations — at work, in studies, or while travelling.

Choose the correct sentence.

You should read the job description. You should to read the job description. Should you read the job description.

You ought avoid unnecessary jokes at the interview. You ought to avoid unnecessary jokes at the interview. You should to avoid unnecessary jokes at the interview.

You had better not be late. You had not better be late. You not had better be late.

FAQs

1. Is there a difference between should and ought to?

Yes, but it’s minimal. Ought to sounds more formal and is slightly less common in spoken English. It’s more often used in written style or public advice.

2.Can you say you’d better to go?

No. After had better, we always use the base form of the verb (without to).

You had better go.

3. Which modal verb is used in polite questions?

For polite questions, it’s better to use should:

Should I bring my resume?
What should I wear to the meeting?