should

should [ ʃud ] modal verb ***

Should is usually followed by an infinitive without to :

You should eat more fresh fruit. Sometimes should is used without a following infinitive:

I don't always do everything I should.

Should does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in -s :

She should see a doctor about that cough.

Questions and negatives are formed without do :

Should we come back later?

You should not bring up embarrassing topics.

The negative form should not is often shortened in conversation or informal writing to shouldn't:

Those kids shouldn't be in there.

Should is often used in tag questions:

We should leave a tip, shouldn't we?

Should has no participles and no infinitive form.

There is no past tense, but should have followed by a past participle can be used for referring to actions that did not happen or for actions that have probably happened:

I should have brought an umbrella (=I did not bring one).

The meeting should have finished by now (=it is likely it has ended).

When indirect speech is introduced by a verb in the past tense, should can be used as the past tense of shall:

I explained that I should be too busy to see them the following day.

1. ) used for talking about what is right, sensible, or correct

a ) used for saying or asking about the right or sensible thing to do or the right way to behave: OUGHT TO:

Parents should spend as much time with their children as possible.

It's an amazing book you should read it.

You shouldn't drive so fast.

What should I do? Should I look for another job?

There should be a law against spreading lies.

What should be taught in our schools?

They should be ashamed of themselves.

b ) used for saying what is correct, especially when the situation is different from this: OUGHT TO:

There should be a comma after Yours sincerely.

The total should come to $728.50.

c ) should have (done something) used for saying what was the right thing to do when you realize that someone did not do it: OUGHT TO:

You should have taken my advice.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interfered.

He didn't make reservations, but he should have.

2. ) when something seems likely used when you have strong reasons for believing or expecting something: OUGHT TO:

There should be a knife in the drawer.

There'll be lots of games, so it should be fun.

Sheila's a brilliant student she should graduate with honors.

should have (done something): They should have gotten home by now.

That was disappointing we should have won that game easily.

3. ) when something is a possibility used after if or instead of if for describing a situation that may possibly happen:

Should you need help, do not hesitate to call me.

If anything should happen to me, please give this letter to my wife.

4. ) when something is important used for saying what someone thinks is important:

It is essential that we should protect the environment.

Curtiz was determined that Ingrid should star in the new movie.

5. ) used for stating a decision or order used for saying what someone decides, suggests, or orders:

The committee recommended that the chief executive should be dismissed.

Our orders were that we should advance toward San Pedro .

6. ) when someone has an opinion about something used for describing a fact or event that someone has a particular feeling or opinion about:

It's hardly surprising that people should be suspicious of politicians' promises.

How sad that she should have no one to comfort her.

Claudia was shocked that anyone should believe such a scandalous story.

It's odd you should mention Ben I was just thinking about him.

7. ) used for stating a purpose FORMAL used for saying what the purpose of an action is:

He used a false name so that no one should discover his secret.

8. ) used in polite requests BRITISH used for making polite requests or statements about what you prefer: WOULD:

I should be grateful for a prompt reply.

I should like: I should like to introduce our guest speaker.

I should like to see you alone for a moment.

9. ) used for stating imaginary results BRITISH used for saying what you would do or how you would feel in a situation that you imagine: WOULD:

If we had stayed any longer, we should have missed our train.

10. ) used as a past tense of shall BRITISH used about a situation in the past when you said or knew what you would do or what would happen: WOULD:

I said that I should be happy to cooperate with the investigation.

We realized that we should have to pay a large sum to the lawyers.

how should I know? SPOKEN

used for saying in a rude way that you do not know something and do not care:

What's happened to my money? How should I know?

I should think/imagine/hope MAINLY SPOKEN

used for saying what you think/hope is true, when you have reasons for your opinion:

I should think that most of the people around here vote Republican.

I should imagine that his parents are really upset.

I should think/imagine/hope so: Will Janet's boyfriend be at the wedding? Oh, I should think so.

I should think/hope not: Ken would never break his promise. I should hope not.

who/what should...?

used for showing that you were surprised when something happened:

I was just leaving when who should I see but Pat Doyle.

why should someone do something? MAINLY BRITISH SPOKEN

used for showing that you do not believe what someone has told you:

Why should anyone try to steal Rob's address book?

you should have seen/heard SPOKEN

used when telling someone about something that you saw/heard for emphasizing that it was very funny, shocking, beautiful, etc.:

You should have seen the look on his face when I told him I'd won.

You should have heard the way she talked about her husband.

you shouldn't (have) SPOKEN

used when someone has brought you a present for showing that you were not expecting it:

Oh, Martin, what lovely flowers. You shouldn't have!