Should Use, Examples and Exercises
Should, the past form of shall is used —
- To express duty or obligation in all Persons; as,
We should help the poor.
We should obey the laws of the country.
You should control your temper.
You should keep your promise.
You should do your duty cheerfully.
We should love our neighbours.
You should come to school in time.
You shouldn’t quarrel with your friend.
He should not be allowed to neglect his studies.
Children should obey their parents.
NOTE : Duty in the past is expressed by should have as,
I should have attended the meeting yesterday, but I forgot all about it.
You should have paid the money long ago.
He should have used the money for paying his debts instead of for a new scooter. - When giving or asking advice; as,
You shouldn’t laugh at her mistakes.
How much should I contribute towards the relief fund?
Do you think she should apologise?
You shouldn’t gave the child a knife to play with. - To indicate disapproval of something that was done in the past; as,
You shouldn’t have laughed at her mistakes.
She shouldn’t have given the child a knife to play with. - To Express Supposition, possibility, Condition; as,
If it should rain the school will remain closed.
Should danger come, we shall be prepared to meet it.
You should try your best even though you may never learn it.
If your parents disapprove of the plan, you should give it up. - To express purpose and result in the clauses introduced by in order that and so that as,
We put up a fence so that our neighbours should not overlook us.
Twenty copies of the book were bought so that each girl in the class should have one.
We hid it carefully so that none should see it.
I did it in order that all should be satisfied. - After lest to express a negative purpose; as
Take heed lest you should
They shot the tiger lest he should escape.
He ran fast lest he should miss the train. - In dependent clauses after verbs and phrases indicating determination or willingness, threats, orders or promises; as,
I promised my brother that he should have a new pen.
I have ordered that he should (shouldn ’/) play today.
The officer gave orders that we should be well looked after.
Is your father willing that you should go abroad?
