English Grammar – Intermediate

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Grammar Focus

Modals of Advice help us give suggestions, express possibility, and talk about responsibility or strong recommendations. These include: might, could, should, ought to, have to, and had better.

• Use might and could for possibilities:
  ➤ You might want to bring a coat.
  ➤ We could leave earlier to avoid traffic.
• Use should and ought to for stronger advice:
  ➤ You should see a doctor.
  ➤ He ought to study more.
• Use have to for obligations or requirements:
  ➤ I have to finish this report today.
• Use had better for urgent advice with possible consequences:
  ➤ You had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train.

📝 Most of these are followed by the base verb (e.g., should go, might eat). Avoid adding to with should or had better.

🗣️ Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking

Understanding modals of advice helps learners follow conversations and give or receive suggestions naturally, especially in real-life situations like work, health, or travel.

Here are some key situations:

• ✅ Health or emergencies:
  “You should rest.” / “You had better call the doctor.”
• ✅ Workplace conversations:
  “You might want to check with the manager.”
  “We have to submit the report today.”
• ✅ Friendly advice or warnings:
  “You could try the new café.” / “He ought to be more careful.”
• ✅ Listening for suggestions:
  If someone says, “You had better back up your files,” they are warning you something bad could happen.

By practicing how these sound in conversations, students build confidence in both understanding and giving advice politely and clearly.

Now, practice your language skills with these interactive games.

Talk About Giving Advice
We use modals of advice to give helpful suggestions or warnings. These questions will help you speak about different life situations. Try using phrases like You should…, They might…, or We had better… in your answers.

Give a Friend Advice:
What advice would you give a friend who is very tired at work?
➤ For example: He should take a break. He might need more sleep.

Study Advice:
What should students do if they are failing a class?
➤ For example: They ought to talk to the teacher. They could get extra help.

Workplace Situations:
What advice can you give someone who is always late for work?
➤ For example: He had better set an earlier alarm. He might lose his job.

Health Tips:
What should people do if they feel sick?
➤ For example: They should stay home. They have to see a doctor.

Travel Advice:
What advice would you give to someone flying for the first time?
➤ For example: She might want to arrive early. She should pack light.

Everyday Challenges:
What advice can you give someone who feels stressed?
➤ For example: They could go for a walk. They ought to talk to a friend.

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