should*/*/*/

[ʃʊd]

modal verb summary: ■ Should is usually followed by an infinitive without ‘to': You should eat more fresh fruit. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I don't always do everything I should. ■ Should has no tenses, no participles, and no infinitive form. It does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in ‘-s': She should see a doctor about that cough. ■ Questions and negatives are formed without ‘do': Should we come back later? ♦ You should not bring up embarrassing topics. ■ The negative form should not is often shortened in conversation or informal writing to shouldn't: Those kids shouldn't be in there.

1) used for saying or asking about the right or sensible thing to do or the right way to behave

It's an amazing book – you should read it.[/ex]

You shouldn't drive so fast.[/ex]

What should I do? Should I look for another job?[/ex]

You should have taken my advice.[/ex]

2) used when you have strong reasons for believing or expecting something

There should be a knife in the drawer.[/ex]

There'll be lots of games, so it should be fun.[/ex]

That was disappointing – we should have won that game easily.[/ex]

3) used for describing a situation that may possibly happen

Should you need help, do not hesitate to call me.[/ex]

If anything should happen to me, please give this letter to my wife.[/ex]

4) British

formal used after ‘I' or ‘we' instead of ‘would', for example in polite requests

Syn:

would

I should like to introduce our guest speaker.[/ex]