should和could都是情態(tài)動(dòng)詞，后接動(dòng)詞原形，沒(méi)有人稱和數(shù)的變化，它們的否定形式為shouldn’t和couldn’t。下面我們一起看看它們的“情態(tài)觀”吧。

一、提出建議

should意為“應(yīng)該”。用于表示義務(wù)或提出建議或要求;could意為“能夠”，也可用來(lái)提出建議。如:

1. We should wait a little more. 我們應(yīng)該再等一會(huì)兒。

2. You shouldn’t talk loudly in the library. 你不應(yīng)該在圖書室大聲說(shuō)話。

3. ——What could I do to improve my English? 我怎樣才能夠提高我的英語(yǔ)水平?

——Well， you should try to speak more. 你應(yīng)該盡可能多說(shuō)。

二、征求意見(jiàn)

should也可用于征求意見(jiàn)，此時(shí)一般用于第一人稱疑問(wèn)句中;could用于請(qǐng)求或請(qǐng)求允許，帶有一些試探性，因而顯得更加委婉。如:

1. Should I open the window? 我可以開(kāi)窗戶嗎?

2. What should I do for you? 我應(yīng)該為你做些什么?

3. Could I borrow some money from you? 我可以向你借些錢嗎?

三、推測(cè)情況

should用來(lái)表示有較大可能性實(shí)現(xiàn)的猜測(cè)，意為“可能;總該……吧”;could表示推測(cè)時(shí)，意為“可能的，但又未必可能”。如:

1. They should be here by now. 他們現(xiàn)在可能到了。

2. The dictionary should be in the reading-room. 那本字典可能在圖書館。

3. One day I could become a millionaire， but the chances are very small.

有一天我也許會(huì)成為百萬(wàn)富翁，但這種可能性很小。

【即學(xué)即練】

一、選擇填空。

1. Excuse me， can you tell me ____ next?

A. how to doB. what should we do C. what we should doD. how we should do

2. Maybe you ____ say sorry to her.

A. must B. shall C. should D. ought

3. Mrs White ____ in the office now. I saw her just now.

A. should beB. shall beC. should isD. maybe

4. Yesterday I gave my uncle a call to tell him that I ____ leave Beijing for London the next month.

A. shallB. willC. shouldD. could

5. An Englishman who ____ not speak Italian was once traveling in Italy.

A. mustB. couldC. mayD. might

6. ——Do you still remember when we went to the Great Wall?

——I can’t remember it well， but ____ it have been sometimes last May?

A. should B. mustC. could D. would

7. It ____ be she that told him about it; it ____ be you， because only you and I know it.

A. mustn’t; must B. couldn’t; mustC. mustn’t; might D. couldn’t; might

二、在空白處填寫適當(dāng)?shù)木渥樱箤?duì)話意思完整、通順。

Ben: You look tired， Tom. __1__

Tom: Our Chinese exam is coming. I haven’t got ready for it. __2__

Ben: Take it easy. It’s only a test.

Tom: I’m worried about it. __3__

Ben: OK. I think you should spend much time on it. You can read your notes. Try to remember some words and do some exercises.

Tom: __4__ But I still feel upset.

Ben: __5__ Listening to some music might help you. Why not try it?

Tom: Yes. Thanks a lot.

Ben: You are welcome. Good luck!

Key:

一、1.C 2.C 3.A 4.C 5.B 6.C 7.B

二、1.What’s wrong/the matter? 2.What should I do? 3.Can/Could you (please) give me some advice? 4.That sounds like/That’s a good idea. 5.Maybe you should learn to relax.