BASIC COMPETENCE
Affirmative |
Subject |
should |
Verb 1 |
Negative |
Subject |
Should not |
Verb 1 |
Interrogative |
Should |
Subject |
Verb 1 |
Affirmative |
Subject |
should |
be |
Verb-ing |
Negative |
Subject |
Should not |
be |
Verb-ing |
Interrogative |
Should |
Subject |
be |
Verb-ing |
When we use "Should have done", it means that:
Pattern: Should + (perfect)
Affirmative |
Subject |
should |
have |
Verb 3 |
Negative |
Subject |
should not |
have |
Verb 3 |
Interrogative |
Should |
Subject |
have |
Verb 3 |
When do we use SHOULD in English?
1. To give advice, a recommendation or a suggestion
This is to say that it is the right thing to do or the correct thing.
- You should see the new Star Wars movie. It’s great!
- He should go to the dentist if his tooth still hurts.
- The test is next week. We should study for it now.
- You should try that new restaurant on Main Street.
2. To express that a situation is likely in the present or in the future. This is a type of expectation or prediction.
- Mary should be at home now. Give her a call.
- He should have the letter now. I sent it last week.
- Our team should win the game on Saturday. (Because we have been training all month so it is our expectation, or prediction that we will win.)
- It should be sunny tomorrow.
3. Expresses an obligation that is not as strong as Must.
Sometimes Should is used instead of Must to make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite.
This may appear more frequently on formal notices or on information sheets.
- Applications should be sent before the 30th.
- He should drive more carefully.
- Everyone should wear a seatbelt in a car.
- You should pay more attention in class.
All of the above example sentences can have must instead of should making the obligation stronger and less polite.
For example: Applications must be sent before the 30th.
4. Something was expected in the past but it didn’t happen (should + have + past participle)
This expresses the idea that the subject did not fulfill their obligation in the past or did not act responsibly.
- Anna is late. She should have arrived by now.
- I should have called Fred this morning but I forgot.
- You should have given your boss the report yesterday when he asked for it.
5. Not fulfilling an obligation (should + be + verb-ing)
This expresses the idea that someone is not fulfilling their obligation or is not acting sensibly right now.
- You should be wearing your seatbelt. (The person isn’t wearing one right now)
- We should be studying for the exam. (We are not studying right now and we should be studying)
6. Sometimes should is replaced by ought to without a change in meaning. Note that ought to sounds more formal and is used less frequently.
- You ought to go home now. (= You should go home now)
- She ought to take her dog for more walks. (= She should take her dog…)
- They ought to stop doing that. (= They should stop doing that)