The Uses of "Should" in English

The modal verb should is commonly used in English to express advice, obligation, probability, expectation, or conditionality. It's versatile and appears in both formal and informal contexts. In this article, we will explore the primary uses of should along with examples and exercises to solidify your understanding.

1. To Give Advice or Recommendations

One of the most common uses of should is to give advice or make recommendations.

Examples:

• You should drink more water to stay hydrated.

• We should try that new restaurant downtown.

• He should see a doctor about that cough.

2. To Express Obligation or Duty

Should can indicate a mild obligation or sense of duty, often less forceful than must.

Examples:

• Students should arrive on time for class.

• You should always wear a helmet while riding a bike.

• Everyone should respect the law.

3. To Express Probability or Expectation

Should is used to indicate that something is likely to happen or is expected to be true.

Examples:

• The package should arrive tomorrow.

• She should be home by now.

• This recipe should taste amazing if you follow it correctly.

4. To Express Conditional Situations

Should is often used in conditional sentences to describe hypothetical or future possibilities.

Examples:

• If you should need any help, let me know.

• Should you see him, please tell him to call me.

• If the weather should improve, we’ll go for a walk.

In these sentences, should introduces a polite or formal tone.

5. To Ask for or Make Suggestions Politely

When forming polite questions, should can be used to ask for suggestions or guidance.

Examples:

• What should we do this weekend?

• Where should I park my car?

• Who should I contact for more information?

6. To Express Criticism or Regret (Past Actions)

When referring to past actions, should is paired with the perfect infinitive (have + past participle) to express criticism, regret, or missed obligations.

Examples:

• You should have studied harder for the exam.

• I shouldn’t have said that—it was rude.

• We should have left earlier to avoid traffic.

7. In Formal Rules or Instructions

Should is often used in official or formal writing, such as manuals, guidelines, or policies, to express what is recommended or required.

Examples:

• Applicants should submit their forms by the deadline.

• All guests should register at the reception desk.

• The report should include detailed analysis and findings.

Negative Form

The negative form of should is should not (or shouldn’t in contractions). It expresses that something is not recommended, not expected, or not advisable.

Examples:

• You shouldn’t eat too much sugar.

• They shouldn’t be late for the meeting.

• I shouldn’t have trusted him so easily.

Grammar Notes

1. Should is always followed by the base form of the verb:

   • Correct: You should take an umbrella.

   • Incorrect: You should to take an umbrella.

2. Should can be used with all subjects without any change in its form:

   • I should, you should, he/she/it should, we should, they should.

Common Expressions with "Should"

• Should I...? (Asking for advice or guidance)

  • Should I call her now?

• You should know... (Implying a sense of expectation or obligation)

  • You should know better than to argue with her.

• Should it happen... (Conditional phrase)

  • Should it happen, please inform me immediately.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with "should" or "shouldn't."

1. You ________ apologize if you’ve made a mistake.

2. We ________ leave early to avoid traffic.

3. He ________ eat so much junk food—it’s not healthy.

4. If you feel unwell, you ________ see a doctor.

5. Students ________ cheat during exams.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using "should."

1. It’s a good idea for her to drink more water.

2. You’re expected to arrive by 8:00 AM.

3. It’s not a good idea for them to spend all their money at once.

4. I regret not telling her the truth earlier.

5. Following the recipe is a recommendation for making the dish taste better.

Exercise 3: Identify the use of "should" in each sentence.

1. You should finish your homework before watching TV.
   a) Advice
   b) Obligation
   c) Expectation

2. She should have called me before coming over.
   a) Criticism
   b) Probability
   c) Suggestion

3. The presentation should start at 3 PM.
   a) Obligation
   b) Expectation
   c) Advice