This article explains the use of should in sentences in English grammar. It also describes the use of should, use of shall, and would and use of ‘should have’. So let us go ahead in our learning journey of 5 powerful ways to understand the use of should in English grammar.
Use of Should
We use should when we want to say that something is a good thing to do, and it is the right thing to do.
Example:
- It is a good book. You should read it.
- You should brush your teeth twice a day.
Use of Should in Sentences
Should is the past tense of shall. It is used:
- To express duty, moral obligation or advice.
- We should respect our elders.
- We should never tell a lie.
- We should not hurt animals.
- In conditional sentences.
- Should you go to Goa, meet my sister.
- If you should need any help, just let me know.
- After the conjunction lest.
- She studied hard lest she should fail in the examination.
- I had my breakfast fast lest I should miss the school bus.
- To express the past tense in indirect speech.
- I said, “I shall go for a walk in the morning.” (Direct Speech)
- I said that I should go for a walk in the morning. (Indirect Speech)
Use of Should and Would
Should is used for duty or advice, while would expresses requests, wishes, or past habits. As we have explained how to use should in sentences, let us learn how to use would.
Would is the past tense of will. It is used.
- To express a polite request.
- Would you please lend me your pencil?
- Would you please switch off the fan?
- To express a wish.
- Would that I were rich!
- Would that I were at that time!
- To make a conditional sentence.
- If he had met me, I would have helped him.
- If you had practiced more, you would have won the match.
- To express the past tense in indirect speech.
- He said, “I shall play chess.” (Direct Speech)
- He said that he would play chess. (Indirect Speech)
- To express a habitual activity in the past.
- Sometimes my sister would get angry and would stop talking.
- On Mondays, I would do all my household chores by myself.
- With rather to express a wish or a preference.
- I would rather be quiet than shout at children.
- I would rather starve than beg.
- I would rather have a cup of tea than coffee.
- To express determination or probability.
- I would help the animals whatever the case may be.
- Those who do not obey their elders would bring their hands in despair.
Use of Should Have
We have already seen that should is used to express duty, obligation, or advice. Now let us see how should have is used to talk about past situations.
The formula to use ‘should have’.
Subject + should have + past participle (V3)
1. Missed obligation / advice
- You should have washed your hands before eating. (= It was your duty to wash your hands, but you didn’t.)
2. Expressing regret
- I should have talked politely to that man. (= I regret not talking politely enough.)
3. Criticism
- She should have told us the truth.
(= It was wrong that she didn’t tell the truth.)
4. Guessing about the past (less common)
- They should have watched the film by now.
(= I think they probably watched the film already.)
Use of Shall and Should
Shall is used:
- With the first person to express simple future time.
- I shall phone him.
- We shall buy a motorcycle.
- I shall keep my promise.
- With the second and third person to express a command, threat, compulsion, promise, or certainity.
- You shall have to sit there. ( Command).
- You shall be punished if you keep telling lies. (Threat)
- John shall carry out my instructions. (Compulsion)
- He shall be given a new phone if he clears his exam. (promise)
- If you run fast, you shall catch the train. (Certainity)
5 Powerful Ways to Understand the Use of Should in English Grammar (With Examples)
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