Mastering English Grammar: Should, Why, Doesn’t, and More

Posted on Mar 16, 2025 in English

Should / Shouldn’t

Should and shouldn’t are used to give advice or express obligation.

  • You should go out more often.
  • You should think before you do it.
  • You shouldn’t invest in gold.
  • You should be more attentive.
  • We should go out to get some air.
  • You shouldn’t catch that train.
  • You should read the Bible.
  • The dog should wait in the street.
  • The kids should wear their jackets; it’s cold.
  • Smoking is unhealthy; we should stop doing it.
  • The vase is going to fall; they shouldn’t move the furniture.
  • If you go out, you should get the umbrella.
  • You shouldn’t speak like that to your friends.

Why Don’t…?

Asking questions using Why don’t…? is a common way to make suggestions or inquire about reasons.

  • Why don’t you do your homework?
  • Why are we in the street?
  • Why are you doing that?
  • Why don’t you see that movie?
  • Why don’t we go to the cinema?
  • Why is your son in my house?
  • Why don’t you eat fruit?
  • Why are we in the airport?
  • Why don’t you study for your exam?

Doesn’t

Doesn’t is the contraction of ‘does not’ and is used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it).

  • She doesn’t read the newspaper in the morning.
  • He doesn’t take a shower on Sundays.
  • The computer doesn’t have a good monitor.
  • The dog doesn’t run fast.
  • He doesn’t speak French, Spanish, and Italian.

Let’s

Let’s is a contraction of ‘let us’ and is used to make suggestions involving the speaker and others.

  • Let’s eat at the Chinese restaurant “Pagoda.”
  • Let’s save some money for the concert.
  • Let’s stay home today.
  • Let’s do the laundry.

Have To / Had To

Have to and had to express obligation or necessity.

  • You have to do your homework every day.
  • I have to take a shower.
  • I have to feed my pet.
  • My mother has to work.
  • We have to go to that party.
  • My father has to sleep.
  • You have to learn how to speak English.
  • You have to give me a present on my birthday.
  • I have to tell you something.
  • We have a big secret.

Must

Must expresses a strong obligation or necessity.

  • You must be clean with your homework.
  • You must be kind to your friends.
  • You must be a good boyfriend.
  • I must be a good English teacher.
  • My mother must be more patient.
  • My father must be more quiet.
  • I must have chocolate every day.
  • I must teach you how to speak English.
  • She must be smart.
  • He must be handsome.

Pronouns

Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition.

  • I am a teacher.
  • I live in Argentina.
  • Bill is married.
  • He has two children.
  • You are students.
  • They live in Italy.
  • They don’t speak English.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives show ownership or belonging.

  • What is your name?
  • You work here, and your wife works here too.
  • Can you give me your opinion about this?
  • Bill washes his car every day.
  • Jack lives here with his parents.
  • He is painting his house.
  • He wants to sell his car.
  • This car has a hole in its roof.
  • We are studying Japan and its culture.
  • New York is famous for its exciting nightlife.
  • The government announced its goals for this year.
  • Our neighbors are painting their house.
  • Grandparents usually love their grandchildren.
  • I saw Sally and John with their children.
  • Most Americans love their cars.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns replace nouns and show ownership.

  • The kids are yours, mine, and ours.
  • Whose book is on the desk?
  • The house is theirs, and its paint is flaking.
  • The money was really theirs for the taking.
  • We shall finally have what is rightfully ours.
  • Their mother gets along well with yours.
  • I never did find out whose phone number that was.
  • What’s mine is yours, my friend.
  • Never underestimate one’s value to their family.
  • The dog is mine.
  • The cat is yours.
  • The ring is hers.
  • The bag is theirs.