should

A student should always listen carefully to the teacher.

Definition

1. Modal verb (auxiliary):
   • Obligation or duty: "should" indicates that something is morally right or necessary.

     • You should tell the truth. (It is your duty to be honest.)
   • Expectation or likelihood: "should" expresses what is probable or anticipated.

     • The train should arrive at 3 PM. (It is expected to arrive then.)
   • Advice or recommendation: "should" is used to give suggestions.

     • You should see a doctor. (It is advisable for you to go.)
   • Conditional sense: "should" can indicate what would happen under certain circumstances (often in the first person in formal English).

     • If I should see her, I will tell her. (In the event that I see her.)

Usage Examples

• Obligation:
  • We should respect our elders. (It is our moral duty.)
• Expectation:
  • The package should arrive tomorrow. (It is likely to arrive then.)
• Advice:
  • You should eat more vegetables. (It is recommended for your health.)
• Conditional:
  • Should you need help, call me. (If you need help, call me.)

Advanced Usage

• "should have" + past participle: refers to something that was expected or advisable in the past but did not happen.
  • You should have called earlier. (You did not call, but it was advisable.)
• "should" in formal writing: used to express a mild obligation or expectation.
  • The committee should review the proposal. (It is expected or required.)
• "should" with "that" clauses: used after verbs like "suggest," "demand," or "recommend."
  • I suggest that he should leave now. (It is recommended that he leave.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shall (modal verb): the base form, used for future tense or strong intention (less common in modern English).
  • I shall return. (I will return.)
• Shouldn't (contraction): should not.
  • You shouldn't worry. (It is not advisable to worry.)

Synonyms

• Ought to: expresses moral obligation or strong advice.
  • You ought to apologize. (You should apologize.)
• Must: expresses stronger obligation or necessity.
  • You must finish your homework. (It is required.)
• Had better: expresses strong advice with a sense of urgency.
  • You had better leave now. (It is strongly advisable.)

Phrasal Verbs

• "Should" is not commonly used in phrasal verbs, but it appears in fixed expressions like "should have" (see Advanced Usage).

Related Idioms

• "Should have been": used to express regret or missed opportunity.
  • I should have been there. (I regret not being there.)
• "Shouldn't have": used to express that an action was wrong or unwise.
  • You shouldn't have said that. (It was a mistake to say it.)