Should is a modal verb used to give advice or make a recommendation (you should rest), to indicate what is expected or considered correct (it should be ready by now), and as the past form of shall in reported speech (she said she should return soon).
What Does Should Mean?
Should comes from Old English sceolde, the past tense of sceal (shall), ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic root *skulaną meaning "to owe" or "to be obliged". This ancestral sense of duty and moral obligation still echoes in the way we use should today when expressing what is the right or sensible course of action.
In modern British English, should is one of the most frequently used modal verbs. It covers three overlapping areas: advice ("You should drink more water"), expectation ("The bus should arrive in five minutes"), and reported obligation ("He said he should finish by Friday"). Understanding which function is intended usually depends on context.
Unlike must, which expresses a strong obligation or necessity, should leaves room for personal choice — it signals that something is recommended or likely, not compulsory. This makes it one of the politest and most versatile tools in the English learner's vocabulary.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | CEFR level & usage note |
|---|---|
| You should drink a glass of water before breakfast. | A2 — simple advice, affirmative |
| You should revise vocabulary daily rather than in one large session. | B1 — advice about study habits |
| The report should be finished by Thursday if you start today. | B1 — expectation based on present action |
| She should have checked the contract before signing it. | B2 — regret/criticism about a past action |
| Should the committee fail to reach a decision, the matter will be referred to the board. | C1 — formal conditional inversion replacing "if" |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| should + base verb | You should eat breakfast before the exam. |
| should not / shouldn't | You shouldn't stay up so late on a school night. |
| should have + past participle | I should have called ahead to check they were open. |
| shouldn't have + past participle | We shouldn't have waited so long to book the tickets. |
| should be | The results should be available by Friday afternoon. |
| should be able to | With extra practice, you should be able to pass the test. |
| you should know | You should know that late submissions will not be accepted. |
| I should think | I should think they will accept the offer — it is very generous. |
| should like to (formal) | I should like to raise a point about the third paragraph. |
| should the need arise | We can arrange cover should the need arise. |
Usage Notes
Key Rules for Should
- Always use the base form after should. Say "you should go", not "you should to go" or "you should going".
- Should does not change with the subject. "He should", "she should", "they should" — the form never varies.
- For past events, use should + have + past participle. "You should have told me" refers to something that did not happen but would have been a good idea.
- Should can replace "if" in formal conditionals. "Should you need assistance, please contact reception" is a formal alternative to "If you need assistance...".
- In British English, "I should like" is a formal alternative to "I would like." This usage is now rare in everyday speech but common in formal writing.
- Distinguish advice from expectation by context. "The train should arrive at six" is an expectation; "You should arrive at six" is advice.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
You should to study every day.
You should study every day. (modal verbs take base form — no "to")
He should studied harder before the test.
He should have studied harder before the test. (past reference needs "have + past participle")
You shouldn't to worry about it.
You shouldn't worry about it. (no "to" after modal, even in the negative)
She said she should to be there at eight.
She said she should be there at eight. (reported speech — no "to" after should)