Should - Easy Learning Grammar
- to talk about moral obligation. Compare ought to on Ought to.
- They should do what you suggest.
- People should report this sort of thing to the police.
- She suggested we should visit Aunty Irene more often.
- Rob insisted that we should think of others before ourselves.
- to give advice or instructions.
- You should undo the top screws first.
- You should keep your credit card separate from your chequebook.
- to suggest that something follows on logically from what has just been said.
- They left here at 6 o’clock, so they should be home now.
- to show politeness in a conditional clause. This use is used in formal written communication.
- If you should decide to go, please contact us.
- Should you need more information, please call the manager.
- Should can be used with the main verb after certain set expressions such as, it is a pity that, it is odd that, I am sorry/surprised that. This is a more formal use than the same expression without should.
- It’s a pity that this should happen.
- I was quite surprised that he should be doing a job like that.
- Should + the perfect form of the main verb can be used to express regret about something that was done or not done. Compare with ought to.
- He should have stopped at the red light.
- You should have told me you were ill.
- When changing sentences from direct to reported speech, should does not change.
- Anna said that I should try to relax more.
- I should love to visit Peru if I had the money.
- I should be very cross if they didn’t give me a certificate.
- We should hate to miss the play.
- I would love to visit Peru.
- I would be very cross if they didn’t give me a certificate.
- We would hate to miss the play.
| should | ||
| The contracted negative form is: | shouldn’t. | |