2026年9月13日日曜日

Understanding "Should" in English

 

Understanding "Should" in English

"Should" is a modal auxiliary verb primarily used to express obligation, advice, expectation, or recommendation. Because it is a modal verb, it is followed directly by the base form of a verb (without "to") and does not change form for different subjects (e.g., he should go, not he shoulds go).

Here are its core functions:

  • Giving Advice or Recommendations: Suggesting what is the right or best thing to do.

  • Expressing Expectation or Probability: Saying what we reasonably expect to happen.

  • Expressing Obligation or Duty: Stating a moral or social responsibility (weaker than must).

  • Hypothetical Scenarios: Used in conditional clauses (often with if).

10 Sample Sentences

  1. Advice / Recommendation:

    You should wear a warm jacket if you are going hiking in the mountains today.

  2. Expectation / Probability:

    The train should arrive at the station in about ten minutes.

  3. Obligation / Duty:

    We should respect our elders and listen to their valuable life experiences.

  4. Asking for Advice (Interrogative):

    Should I submit this digital report before the end of the day?

  5. Negative Advice (Prohibition):

    You should not eat too many sweets if you want to maintain good health.

  6. Hypothetical Condition:

    If you should encounter any technical issues with the application, please let me know immediately.

  7. Desire or Suggestion (with "Why"):

    Why should we worry about things that are completely out of our control?

  8. Past Regret / Criticism (should have + past participle):

    I should have checked the weather forecast before planning the outdoor event.

  9. Logical Deduction:

    She has studied Chinese vocabulary every single day, so she should pass the exam easily.

  10. Polite Formal Expression:

    I should think that honesty is always the best policy in any situation.

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