The Role and Usage of 'Should' in English Grammar

In English, 'should' is a modal verb that plays a crucial role in offering advice, suggestions, and expressing likelihood. This article delves into the various contexts in which 'should' is used, providing insights into its nuanced usage in both everyday and formal communication.

Advice and Suggestions

The verb 'should' often serves as a guide for others, offering recommendations or advice. For instance, ‘You should stop smoking. It’s bad for your health.’ or ‘You should read this book; it’s very well written.’ This use of 'should' conveys the sense that it is advisable or beneficial to follow the suggested action.

Suggestions and Obligation

'Should' can also be employed to offer suggestions or express the obligation to do something. For example, ‘We should leave now; it’s late.’ This suggests that the speaker considers it reasonable and ideal to act in a certain way, even though it is not necessarily obligatory.

Expressing Likelihood

Another common usage of 'should' involves indicating that something is likely to happen. For instance, ‘There should be lots of people at the party Michael has so many friends…’. This implies a high probability that the event will unfold as predicted based on the information provided.

Expressing the Best Thing to Do

'Should' can also denote the best course of action. For example, ‘They should reduce the price of petrol. It’s so expensive.’ This usage suggests that the recommended action would lead to the most favorable outcome.

Expectations and Time Frames

Expectations are another important use of 'should', particularly when it comes to future events. For instance, ‘You should try to learn new technologies.’ This suggests that the action should be prioritized in the future.

Subordinate Clauses of First-Conditional Sentences

In subordinate clauses of first-conditional sentences, 'should' can be used to indicate a conditional possibility. For example, ‘If he should call, take a message.’ This usage is equivalent to saying, ‘If he calls, take a message.’ This shows that 'should' can sometimes be used interchangeably with the simple conditional form in certain situations.

Comparative Usage in the Main Clause

Interestingly, in the UK, 'should' is often used in the main clause of a conditional sentence, particularly with a first-person subject, where it can serve a similar function to 'would'. For example, ‘If I were you, I should accept.’ This is a common UK construct, although it is less common in other English-speaking countries.

Subjunctive Sense After Certain Verbs

Another rare usage of 'should' is its subjunctive sense, particularly after verbs like 'order', 'ask', 'request', and 'demand'. For instance, ‘I ordered that all copies should be burned.’ and ‘He asked that his diploma should be sent to his mother’s address.

Key Takeaways

Advisory usage: Advice and suggestions. Obligation: Not as strong as 'must'. Likelihood: Expressing the probability of something happening. The best action: Recommending the best course of action. Time frame: Expressing future intentions or expectations. Comparative usage: With first-person subjects in the main clause of conditional sentences. Subjunctive sense: After verbs like 'order', 'ask', 'request', and 'demand'.

Conclusion

Understanding the various roles and usages of 'should' is crucial for effective communication in English. Whether you are advising someone, expressing likelihood, or justifying the best course of action, the correct application of 'should' can significantly impact the meaning and tone of your communication.