Should and Shouldn't for Advice; Why Don't You?
Phones, apps and the internet
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Giving Advice with Should, Shouldn't & Why don't you?
How to use this lesson
Set a 12-minute timer for the whole lesson and let learners read the table first.
Check answers together as a class or have students compare in pairs.
Read the 4 grammar rules in the table carefully first.
Next, complete the 12 questions and check your score.
📘 Grammar Rules & Advice Patterns
4 Core Rules| Grammar Rule | Exact Example |
|---|---|
|
Rule 1
should + verb gives advice, and the verb has no |
"She should ask her teacher for help." |
|
Rule 2
shouldn't + verb says that something is not a good idea. |
"You shouldn't leave your phone in the sun." |
|
Rule 3
To ask for advice we say What should I do? or Should I + verb? |
"Should I buy a new phone this year?" |
|
Rule 4
Why don't you + verb? is a friendly question that gives advice, and it does not ask for a reason. |
"Why don't you call your cousin tonight?" |
Take care of your phone and manage your apps wisely.
"You should charge your phone at night, and you shouldn't use it in bed."
Remember: keep the verb simple. No "to" and no -s after should.
Interactive Tasks: 12 Practice Questions
Complete each set below. Use the single-word clue in parentheses to help identify the context.
1. Which sentence gives correct advice for choosing a strong password?
(password)2. Which sentence correctly advises someone NOT to remove an important message?
(message)3. Which question correctly asks for advice about a learning app?
(app)4. Rewrite this sentence into a friendly suggestion starting with "Why don't you...?":
(website)"You should search for that website."
5. Rewrite this sentence into a friendly suggestion starting with "Why don't you...?":
(chat)"You should chat with your classmates online."
6. Rewrite this sentence into a friendly suggestion starting with "Why don't you...?":
(charger)"You should buy a fast charger for your phone."
7. Fill in the blank with shouldn't, Why don't you, or should:
(signal)"The signal is bad here. You ____ stand near the window."
8. Fill in the blank with shouldn't, Why don't you, or should:
(delete)"Your phone memory is full, but these are your only photos of the trip. You ____ delete them."
9. Fill in the missing word to ask for advice:
(advice)"My phone is very slow. ____ I delete some apps?"
10. Find and correct the error in this chat message:
(question)Write only the correct words to replace the underlined phrase:
____ (Type the corrected phrase here...)11. Find and correct the error in this chat message:
(search)Write only the correct words to replace the underlined phrase:
____ (Type the corrected phrase here...)12. Find and correct the error in this chat message:
(password)Write only the correct words to replace the underlined phrase:
____ (Type the corrected phrase here...)Related lessons
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