Should Modal Verb - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And

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Definition of should modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

should modal verb OPAL W  /ʃəd/, strong form  /ʃʊd/  /ʃəd/, strong form  /ʃʊd/Verb Forms

should not
shouldn’t	/ˈʃʊdnt/  /ˈʃʊdnt/

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1.   used to show what is right, appropriate, etc., especially when criticizing somebody’s actions
   • You shouldn't drink and drive.
   • He should have been more careful.
   • A present for me? You shouldn't have! (= used to thank somebody politely)

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2.   used for giving or asking for advice
   • You should stop worrying about it.
   • Should I call him and apologize?
   • I should wait a little longer, if I were you.
   • (ironic) ‘She doesn't think she'll get a job.’ ‘She should worry, with all her qualifications (= she does not need to worry).’
   Grammar Point should / ought / had bettershould / ought / had better
   • Should and ought to are both used to say that something is the best thing or the right thing to do, but should is much more common:
     • You should take the baby to the doctor’s.
     • You ought to be ashamed of yourself!
     In questions, should is usually used instead of ought to:
     • Should we call the doctor?
   • Had better can also be used to say what is the best thing to do in a situation that is happening now:
     • We’d better hurry or we’ll miss the train.
   • You form the past by using should have or ought to have:
     • She should have asked for some help.
     • You ought to have been more careful.
   • The forms should not or shouldn’t (and ought not to or oughtn’t to, which are rare in North American English and formal in British English) are used to say that something is a bad idea or the wrong thing to do:
     • You shouldn’t drive so fast.
   • The forms should not have or shouldn’t have and, much less frequently, ought not to have or oughtn’t to have are used to talk about the past:
     • I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lost my temper.
   Topics Suggestions and advicea2
3.   used to say that you expect something is true or will happen
   • We should arrive before dark.
   • I should have finished the book by Friday.
   • The roads should be less crowded today.
4.   used to say that something that was expected has not happened
   • It should be snowing now, according to the weather forecast.
   • The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.
5.   used as the past form of shall when reporting what somebody has said
   • He asked me what time he should come. (= His words were: ‘What time shall I come?’)
   • (British English, formal) I said (that) I should be glad to help.
6.   (British English) used after that when something is suggested or arranged
   • She recommended that I should take some time off.
   • In order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically.
   In both North American English and British English this idea can be expressed without ‘should’: She recommended that I take some time off. • In order that training be effective… Topics Suggestions and adviceb2
7.   used with I and we to give opinions that you are not certain about
   • I should imagine it will take about three hours.
   • ‘Is this enough food for everyone?’ ‘I should think so.’
   • ‘Will it matter?’ ‘I shouldn't think so.’
   Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb2, Opinion and argumentb2
8. used for expressing strong agreement
   • ‘I know it's expensive but it will last for years.’ ‘I should hope so too!’
   • ‘Nobody will oppose it.’ ‘I should think not!’
   Topics Opinion and argumentc2
9. why, how, who, what should somebody/something do used to refuse something or to show that you are annoyed at a request; used to express surprise about an event or a situation
   • Why should I help him? He's never done anything for me.
   • How should I know where you've left your bag?
   • I got on the bus and who should be sitting in front of me but Tony!
10. used to tell somebody that something would surprise them or make them laugh if they saw or experienced it
    • You should have seen her face when she found out!
    Grammar Point should / wouldshould / would
    • In modern English, the traditional difference between should and would in reported sentences, conditions, requests, etc. has disappeared, and should is not used very much at all. In spoken English the short form ’d is usually used:
      • I said I’d (I would) be late.
      • He’d (he would) have liked to have been an actor.
      • I’d (I would) really prefer tea.
    • The main use of should now is to tell somebody what they ought to do, to give advice, or to add emphasis:
      • We should really go and visit them soon.
      • You should tell her how you feel.
      • You should have seen it!
    Grammar Point modal verbsmodal verbs
    • The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.
    • Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form:
      • He can speak three languages.
      • She will try and visit tomorrow.
    • Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to:
      • You must find a job.
      • You ought to stop smoking.
      • I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.
    • Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past:
      • Can I invite Mary?
      • Should I have invited Mary?
    • Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did.
    You will find more help with how to use modal verbs at the dictionary entries for each verb.
11. used after that after many adjectives that describe feelings
    • I'm anxious that we should allow plenty of time.
    • I find it astonishing that he should be so rude to you.
12. (British English, formal) used with I and we in polite requests
    • I should like to call my lawyer.
    • We should be grateful for your help.
13. (British English, formal) used after I or we instead of would for describing what you would do if something else happened first
    • If I were asked to work on Sundays, I should resign.
14. (formal) used to refer to a possible event or situation
    • If you should change your mind, do let me know.
    • In case you should need any help, here's my number.
    • Should anyone call (= if anyone calls), please tell them I'm busy.
Word OriginOld English sceolde: past of shall.

See should in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee should in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation: should

Other results

All matches

• so I should hope
• I should hope so/not
• you, etc. should be so lucky

Idioms

• so I should hope
• I should hope so/not
• you, etc. should be so lucky

Nearby words

• Shotokan noun
• shot-put noun
• should modal verb
• shoulder noun
• shoulder verb

mystery noun From the Topic Literature and writing B1 Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day