Should and ought to give general advice, as in you should see a doctor, while had better is stronger and implies a negative consequence if the advice is not followed, as in you had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train. Choosing between them depends on how urgent the advice needs to sound.
Grammar Rule
Should and ought to give general advice; had better is stronger and implies a negative consequence if not followed.
Modals of Advice: Rules and Examples
| Modal | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|
| should / ought to | general advice | You should see a doctor. You ought to apologize to her. |
| had better | urgent, with a consequence | You had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train. |
| had better not | urgent negative | You had better not tell him yet. |
Remember: should/ought to for general advice; had better for urgent advice with a consequence.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing the correct modal of advice. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Modals of Advice – Should, Ought to, Had better
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between should and had better?
Should gives general advice, as in you should see a doctor, while had better is stronger and implies a negative consequence, as in you had better leave now, or you’ll miss the train.
Is ought to similar in meaning to should?
Yes, ought to gives general advice in almost the same way as should, as in you ought to apologize to her.
How do you form the negative of had better?
Add not after better, as in you had better not tell him yet.
When should you use had better instead of should?
Use had better when the advice is urgent and there is a clear negative consequence for not following it.