Introduction
Has anyone asked you to do anything today? If so, what? Has anyone given you any advice today?
Grammar
Today we are going to look at a variety of ways of reporting advice, orders, requests and suggestions.
When reporting advice, orders, requests and suggestions about things that need to be done or are desirable, we use should + bare infinitive.
For example:
The company has proposed that Sally should transfer to their New York office.
The teacher suggested that the students should begin working on their term projects.
After should we often use be + past participle or be + adjective .
("that" + "should be" + past participle >>> The boss pointed out that the project should be completed before Friday.)
("be" + adjective for when we talk about our own reaction to something we are reporting. >>> I am amazed that he should be so bold as to fight back.)
Controlled Practice
Some common verbs used in that + should clauses are:
(advise, ask, beg, demand, order, request, warn)
Fill in the blank with the correct word. It is okay to use a word more than once.
(give, make, use)
The lawyer pleaded that his client should be _____ another chance.
The study recommended that less electricity should be _____, in order to conserve energy.
Social workers requested that access ramps should be _____ available to the handicapped.
The unhappy workers demanded that they should be _____ a raise.
Complete the sentences using the appropriate words.
For example:
The students were lazy. The teacher suggested that they should study harder.)
(suggest, request, recommend)
Susan never has any money left at the end of the month. Paul...
(Paul suggested that she should save more.)
The company sold products of poor quality. Customers...
Mary is unhappy with her current job. Her friend...
Some common adjectives used in that + should clauses are,
(concerned, disappointed, upset, surprised)
Language in Use
A supermarket recently opened in the city. Unfortunately, the supermarket has had a lot of trouble attracting customers. Here are some suggestions, from a study which was carried out, on how to increase customer traffic.
Report what was suggested using that + should.
Note: The students' responses may differ from the model answers. However, the grammar should be the same.
The report says:
("The store layout needs to be redesigned." >>> It suggested that the store layout should be redesigned.)
"Lower prices in order to make the supermarket more competitive."
It recommended that prices should be lowered in order to make the supermarket more competitive.
"Hire more workers in order to serve customers better."
It suggested that more workers should be hired in order to serve customers better.
"Sell more foreign goods."
It proposed that more foreign goods should be sold.
"Place more ads in the newspaper."
It suggested that more ads should be placed in the newspaper.
Give advice using that + should in your structure.
For example:
John wants to speak English fluently. >>> It is important that he should attend a good English conversation school.
Mary wants to be a successful businessperson.
Japan's unemployment rate keeps rising.
The students want to enter a top level university.
Debra is overweight.