How to use should?
Pronunciation strong form: /ʃʊd/Pronunciation weak form: /ʃəd/
In this lesson, you will learn:
subject + should + base form
Full form:subject + “should not” + base form
Contracted form:subject + “shouldn’t” + base form
“Should” + subject + base form … ?
There are many uses and meanings of “should” in the English language. Here are the most common ones:
We use “should” to describe the situation that we think is ideal or preferred.
Examples:
Context: The sales tax is 25%Mark: The government should reduce the sales tax. It’s too high.
Context: There are 50 prisons. They are all full.Jane: I think that there should be more prisons.
We also use the modal “should” to give advice to someone or to make a suggestion. This is probably the most common use of “should“.
Examples:
Mark: I’m exhausted.Jane: You should go to bed!(Jane is advising Mark to go to bed.)
Sarah: I feel ill.David: You should go to the doctor.(David is advising Sarah to go to the doctor.)
Mark: I really don’t like my boss.Jane: You should look for another job.(Jane is advising Mark to look for another job.)
We use “should” in the question form to suggest something we aren’t sure about:
Examples:
Mark: Let’s go to the concert.Jane: Should we invite Sarah and David?Mark: Yes, good idea.
Sarah: Are you cold? Should I turn the heating on?David: No, I’m fine.
We use “should” when we are expecting something to happen in the future. Something is due to happen.
Examples:
Manager: Where is Mark? He’s late!Jane: He should be here in 5 minutes.
Mark: The weather should be nice tomorrow.Jane: Let’s go to the beach.
Sarah: I’m hungry. When will dinner be ready?David: It should be ready soon.
Expression: “You shouldn’t have.”Meaning: Thank you. It wasn’t necessary to buy me a gift.
We often say “You shouldn’t have” when someone gives us a gift. We are grateful for the gift but we are perhaps also a bit embarrassed.
Example:
Mark: I got you some perfume from Paris.Jane: Oh Mark, you shouldn’t have!
Modal verb WOULD – Form, use and meaningModal verb COULD – Form, use and meaningPrepositions of time IN, ON and ATGiving examples in English with “SUCH AS”IELTS preparation
Could is used to say that an action or event is possible. Would is used to talk about a possible or imagined situation, and is often used when that possible situation is not going to happen. Should is used to say that something is the proper or best thing to do, or to say that someone ought to do something or must do something.
With each of these words, more information is usually given in conversation to tell us about other possibilities or information about an event that makes it more or less likely to happen.
- To express something that is probable. Examples: “John should be here by 2:00 PM.” “He should be bringing Jennifer with him.
- To ask questions. Examples: “Should we turn left at this street?” .
- To show obligation, give recommendation or even an opinion. Examples: “You should stop eating fast food.”
