Should, modal verb, uses, sentences, structure and examples

 

 

Should is a modal Auxiliary verb and that has many uses in the English language.

Basic Structure for the modal verb Should is:

SUB +SHOULD +BASE FORM OF THE VERB +OBJECT

e.g.,

I should help him. You should apologize. He/she/ should leave now.

We should advise them. They should do.

Should is commonly used for making suggestions and recommendations.

• You should apply for the new vacancies.
• We should leave now so we don’t miss the party.
• You shouldn’t wash clothes today, it is raining.
• The authority should fix these signs!

Asking a question
Invert the subject and the modal verb should.

• Should we bring our book tomorrow?
• Should I sign up for a library membership?
• When should I submit my Fee?
• Where should we go for our next trip?

The negative form
The negative of should is should not or shouldn’t + base form. (1^st form)

• You shouldn’t use too much sugar.
• They should not make absentees

Should can also be used to express expectations. In this context, there is no sense of recommendation.

• The train should be arriving soon.
• Sara should be home any minute now.
• The test shouldn’t take longer than 50 minutes.
• The dress shouldn’t cost more than $120.

The past form
we use the past form of should  to express a mistake or missed opportunity. In this context, the past action did not happen, which leads to an attitude of regret or criticism.

So for this we sue the following structure for making sentences.

 

 Should have + past participle. (Third form)

• I should have called them yesterday (but I didn’t).

She should have applied for the vacant post.

(she didn’t apply for the post, and she regrets now.)

• She should have told me the event was cancelled.

          (She didn’t tell me that the event was cancelled, and I’m criticizing her for it.)

Asking a question
It is possible, although not very common, to ask a question using the past of should. In this case, the speaker is asking for advice about a missed opportunity or possible mistake.

• Should I have brought a gift?   (as I did not bring )

It may be more natural to ask the same question in the following way

• Do you think I should have brought a gift?

• To express frustration caused by an unfair situation:
• Why should Sara get all the credit?
• Why should they get fame?

 

should + base form of verb (Positive and negative)

·         They should be home by now. (A present expectation/probability)

·         Generally speaking, everyone should eat more vegetables and fresh fruits.

 (A statement of truth/advice) 

·         There should be a kidney hospital in our city.

·         There should be a extra room for visitors.

 

·         Duty & Obligation: Indicating what is morally right or expected.

o    e.g,: "We should help the disables.

o    We should follow the rules.

o    People should not smoke in front of children. (Morally not good )