SHOULD | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English sceolde: past of shall

used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions

used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness

• he should have been careful
• I think we should trust our people more
• you shouldn't have gone

used to indicate what is probable

used to indicate what is probable

• £348 m should be enough to buy him out
• the bus should arrive in a few minutes

(expressing the conditional mood) referring to a possible event or situation

referring to possible event or situation

• if you should change your mind, I'll be at the hotel
• should anyone arrive late, admission is likely to be refused

used in a clause with ‘that’ after a main clause describing feelings

used in clause with 'that' after main clause

• it is astonishing that we should find violence here

used in a clause with ‘that’ expressing purpose

used in clause with 'that' expressing purpose

• in order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically

(in the first person) expressing a polite request or acceptance

expressing polite request or acceptance

• I should like some more, if I may
• we should be grateful for your advice

(in the first person) expressing a conjecture or hope

expressing conjecture or hope

• he'll have a sore head, I should imagine
• ‘It won't happen again.’ ‘I should hope not.’

used to emphasize to a listener how striking an event is or was

used to emphasize to listener how striking event is or was

• you should have seen Marge's face