Em inglês, usamos verbos modais para dar conselhos e recomendações. Os principais são should, shouldn't, ought to, had better.
You should see a doctor. (conselho geral)
She shouldn't stay up so late. (conselho negativo)
You ought to apologise. (conselho moral)
You had better hurry — it's getting late! (aviso urgente)
Should = conselho, recomendação, opinião. Shouldn't = conselho negativo. Forma: should + infinitivo sem 'to'.
You should drink more water.
He should apologise to her.
They shouldn't eat so much junk food.
Should I call her? — Yes, I think you should.
Ought to ≈ should (mais formal, ênfase moral). Had better = conselho urgente + implicação de consequência negativa.
You ought to read this book — it's excellent.
You had better leave now or you'll miss the bus.
She had better not be late again or she'll lose the job.
'Had better' usa sempre o passado 'had' — mas refere-se ao presente/futuro. Não confundir com o condicional!
Erros frequentes com modais de conselho: