The verb should in English is used:
- 1. As an auxiliary verb:
a) to form verb forms Future in the Past (future in the past) in the 1st person singular and plural.
He said that I should rewrite
my essay.
He said I should rewrite my essay.
The dean insisted that you should take your exams before the 1st of June.
The dean insisted that you take the exam before June 1st.
The doctor ordered that all the students should go to the X ray room.
The doctor ordered all students to go to the x-ray room.
- 2. After the expressions it is necessary - necessary, it is better (important, natural, etc.) - better (important, naturally).
It is better that he should see everything with his own eyes.
It would be better for him to see (if he sees) everything with his own eyes.
It is important that she should hear it from you.
It's important that she hears it from you.
- 3. After impersonal phrases expressing a feeling of personal experience: it is strange - Weird, it is a pity - it's a pity, it is surprising - marvelous and etc.
It is strange that he should have refused to go on a scientific trip abroad.
It is strange that he refused a scientific trip abroad.
It is a pity that you should have forgotten about mother's birthday.
It's a pity that you forgot about your mother's birthday.
- 4. In exclamations beginning with question words: how - How,who- Who,why- Why.
How should you dress!
How do you dress?
Why shouldn't he tell me it before!
Why didn't he tell me this before!
- 5. In expressions in which advice is given or the speaker’s desire is expressed, such as: I should like - I would like, I should say - I think, I have to say, I should advise - I would recommend, I should prefer - I prefer, I should insist (on) - I would insist (on).
I should advise you to read this book.
I would advise you to read this book.
I should prefer to begin my work on Monday.
I would prefer to start work on Monday.
I should like you to be more polite with my parents.
I wished you would have been more polite to my parents.
Pay attention to the difference in the use of constructions
should + Indefinite and should + Perfect Infinitive
The construction should + Indefinite Infinitive has the meaning of the present or future tense and is translated into Russian by a construction expressed in the present or future tense.
You should go today (tomorrow).
You need to go today (tomorrow).
The construction should + Perfect Infinitive (should + have + 3rd form of the main verb) expresses an impossible action in the past:
You should have gone.
You should have left (but you didn't).
You should have stopped at the red lights.
You should have stopped at the red light (but you didn't).
He should have driven more carefully.
He should have (should have) driven more carefully (but he didn't).
- 6. Verb should It is used as a modal verb in the following cases:
a) to express obligation, necessity, moral duty, advice.
The modal verb shall has two forms - the present tense (directly shall) and the past tense ( should). Despite the fact that these are two forms of the same verb, each of them has its own characteristics of use, its own suitable situations, so we will consider shall and should separately. Let's start with the modal verb shall.
Modal verb SHALL
Before talking about the modality of this verb, it should be noted that this verb, as such, can also be an auxiliary. In this form, in combination with the infinitive, it is necessary to form the future tense in English. For example:
Wait a moment! I shall call my boss. - Wait a minute! I'll call the boss.
As a modal verb, shall has several uses, which we, as usual, will consider in the form of a list. So, we need the modal verb shall in order to express:
1) Order, instruction, clarification of instructions. In this version, the modal verb shall is used in interrogative sentences with the first person.
Shall I shut the door? - Should I close the door?
When shall we wait for you? – When should we expect you?
2) Promise, command, threat, a warning on the part of the speaker. Affirmative and negative sentences with the second and third person, both singular and plural, come into play.
Warn her that she shall pass the exam tomorrow. – Warn her that she will take the exam tomorrow.
They shall regret if they say this. “They'll regret it if they say that.”
3) Obligation in agreements, contracts and other documents. The translation will accordingly contain the word “should”.
Within five days from the delivery date the seller shall send two sets of technical documents to the address of the buyer. – Within five days from the date of delivery, the seller must send two sets of technical documents to the buyer.
4) Confidence. And the phrase smb shall do smth can be interpreted as “someone will definitely do it.”
You shall get your money back. - You should definitely get your money back.
Modal verb SHOULD
This form of the modal verb shall can also have not only modality, but also act as auxiliary verb in sentences containing Future-in-the-Past or subjunctive forms. As an example, consider the following sentences:
We are assured that we should come back soon. “We convinced her that we would be back soon.”
It is important that I should say “yes”. “It’s important that I say yes.”
She demanded that I should apologize to her. “She demanded that I apologize.
But at the moment we are interested in the modal meanings of the verb should. We have two of them, plus more nuances and important points, so let’s return to our convenient list, noting the features of using the modal verb should.
With this verb we usually express:
1) Duty, obligation (weakened to advice or reproach). This modal verb is not as strict as must (which you can read about in the article “The Modal Verb MUST”).
A gentleman should be honest in his action. – A gentleman should be honest in his actions.
If you want to succeed, you should have knowledge, experience and patience. – To achieve success, you need to have knowledge, experience and patience.
2) Surprise, misunderstanding, indignation in interrogative sentences(emotional speech) after the words why / how.
How should I know? - How should I know?
Why should she lie? - Why lie to her?
A natural question may arise in your mind: At what tense will it be necessary to translate this or that sentence? How to determine time reference? But the form of the infinitive, which is used with the modal verb should, is responsible for this. It depends on him what time period the situation belongs to.
You should be working now instead of relaxing. – You should work now, not rest. (moment of speech)
You should consult a prosessional before taking any decision. – You should consult a specialist before making any decision. (present or future tense)
You shouldn't eat so many sweets! “You shouldn’t eat so much candy!”
You should have thought about it before! – You should have thought about this earlier! (the use of the modal verb should in combination with the perfect infinitive refers to the past tense and implies that the action was desired, but was not carried out. Such sentences sound censure or reproach)
He should have accepted the invitation, why did he refuse it? “He should have accepted the invitation.” Why did he refuse?
You should have insisted on his being present at the rehearsal! “You should have insisted that he come to rehearsal!”
You shouldn’t have followed her example all these years! “You shouldn’t have followed her example for so many years!” (but the negative form of the same construction means that the action still took place, but it was not desirable)
Despite the fact that the modal verbs shall and should have several meanings, they are by no means difficult to understand and remember. Therefore, you should not have any difficulties with these modal verbs in English.
English modal verbs shall And will are used only in two forms: in the present tense - shall, will and in the past tense - should,would.
The infinitive after these verbs is used without the particle to:
I shall be busy on Monday.
I'll be busy on Monday.
He will come soon. He will come soon.
I said that I should be busy on Monday. I said I'd be busy on Monday.
He said that he would come soon.
He said he would come soon.
The following abbreviations are used in colloquial speech:
I will = I"ll
I would = I"d
he will = he"ll
he would = he"d
she will = she"ll
she would = she"d
we will = we"ll
we would = we"d
you will = you"ll
you would = you"d
they will = they"ll
they would = they"d
shall not = shan"t
will not = won't
would not = wouldn't shall shouldn't = shouldn't
Verb
used as an auxiliary verb in combination with an infinitive to form future tense forms with the 1st person singular and plural:
I shall be free tonight. I'll be free tonight.
Shall I see you tomorrow? shall I will see you tomorrow? We shall not have an English lesson tomorrow.: Tomorrow we will not have an English lesson.
In modern English, instead of usually used in first person In modern English, instead of in this case it has a modal meaning, giving the action a shade of obligation. In the corresponding Russian sentence, the verb is used in the infinitive form:
Shall I close the window?
Close a window?
Where shall we wait for you? Where should we wait for you?
In modern English, instead of Shall he wait for you at the hotel? shall Should he wait for you at the hotel? shall used with the 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural in affirmative and negative sentences. In this case
has a modal meaning, giving action in the future tense a shade of promise, command, threat, warning on the part of the speaker. Modal meaning in Russian conveyed with appropriate intonation:
Tell her that she shall have the books tomorrow. Tell her that she will receive the books tomorrow (promise).
In modern English, instead of You shall write your exercises at once. shall You will write the exercises immediately (order).
used with the 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural in agreements, contracts and other documents. In this case has a modal meaning, giving action in the future tense a connotation of obligation. The corresponding Russian sentence uses the future tense or more often “must” with an infinitive:
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. Buyers should have the right (will have the right) to inspect the product during its production.
Should
(past tense form of shall) is used as an auxiliary verb: 1. with the 1st person singular and plural to form the Future in the Past forms of the indicative mood:
I said that I should be glad to see him.
I said I would be glad to see him. 2. with the 1st person singular and plural to form the subjunctive forms used in the main part of conditional sentences of the second and third types:
I should go there if I had time. should I would go there if I had time. Currently, instead of usually used with 1st person
would
(both in Future in the Past and subjunctive forms).
3. with all singular and plural persons to form the subjunctive forms used in the following types of sentences: a) in subordinate clauses of subjects starting with the conjunction that after phrases like it is desirable - desirable, it is necessary - necessary, it is important - important, it is strange - strange, etc. (combined with Simple and Perfect Infinitive):
b) in additional subordinate clauses, when the predicate verb of the main sentence expresses determination, demand, proposal, agreement, order (in combination with the Simple Infinitive):
He ordered that the work should be done at once. He ordered the work to be done immediately.
c) in additional subordinate clauses, when the predicate verb of the main sentence expresses a feeling of regret, surprise, indignation, joy, etc. (combined with Simple and Perfect Infinitive):
It is a pity that it should be so. It's a pity that this is so.
d) in subordinate clauses of the goal (in combination with the Simple Infinitive):
I"ll ring him up at once so that he shouldn"t wait for me. I'll call him immediately so he doesn't have to wait for me.
e) in subordinate clauses conditions (in combination with Simple Infinitive):
If they should come, I shall speak to them about it. If they come, I'll talk to them about it.
f) in direct and indirect questions starting with why, to express strong surprise, bewilderment (in combination with Simple and Perfect Infinitive):
Why should you have behaved so? Why did you behave this way?
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. used as a verb with an independent modal meaning to express moral duty or advice with all persons singular and plural. The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. in combination with Simple Infinitive is used when we are talking about the present or the future and is translated into Russian as “must, should, should, should”:
Shouldn't help them.
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. He should (should, should, should) help them. in combination with Perfect Infinitive
used in relation to the past, expresses censure or reproach and is translated into Russian “should have, should have, should have, should have”:
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. Shouldn't have helped them. He should have (should have, should have, should have) helped them. in combination with
Infinitive Passive is translated into Russian “must, should, should, should” with the infinitive of the passive voice or “should, should, should” with the infinitive of the active voice:
In Russian, “should, should” can be used both in relation to the present or future, and in relation to the past. When “should, should” are used in relation to the present or future, they correspond to the combination should with the infinitive in the Simple form. When “should, should have” are used in relation to the past, they correspond to the combination should with the infinitive in the Perfect form:
You should (you should) do it now (tomorrow). You should do it now (tomorrow).
You should have (you should have) done this yesterday. You should have done it yesterday.
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. also used with a modal meaning in indirect speech depending on the verb in the past tense, when in the corresponding direct speech shall should be used with a modal meaning. Should in this case it is used according to the rule of tense agreement:
I asked him where I should wait for him. I asked him where I should wait for him.
would not = wouldn't will used as an auxiliary verb in combination with an infinitive to form future tense forms with the 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural:
Will not come to Moscow soon. He will soon arrive in Moscow.
Will used with the 1st person singular and plural with a modal meaning, giving the action in the future tense a connotation of desire, intention, consent or promise:
I will call on you tomorrow.
I'll come see you tomorrow.
We will help him. We will help him.
Would
(past form of will) is used as an auxiliary verb: 1. with the 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural to form the Future in the Past forms of the indicative mood:
Didn't say that he would come soon.
He said he would come soon. 2. with the 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural to form the subjunctive forms used in the main part of conditional sentences of the second and third type:
We will help him. Wouldn't go there if he had time. should.
We will help him. He would go there if he had time.
often used with 1st person instead is used with a modal meaning with all singular and plural persons in negative sentences to express persistent reluctance to perform an action in the past and in this case is translated into Russian as “didn’t want to”: Didn't try to persuade me, but I wouldn't listen to him. I asked him several times to quit smoking, but he didn't want to.
We will help him. used to express a request:
Would you mind passing me the salt? Please pass me the salt.
We will help him. used with all singular and plural persons to express a repeated action in the past with the meaning “happened”:
Wouldn't sit for hours on the shore and (would) look at the sea. He used to sit for hours on the shore and look at the sea.
The verb would in this case approaches in meaning to used (to). It should be borne in mind that in colloquial speech used (to) is used much more often than would.
We will help him. used in indirect speech, depending on the verb in the past tense, with the 1st person singular and plural with a connotation of intention, desire or consent, when in the corresponding direct speech will should be used. Would
The English language is rich in modal verbs. They differ from ordinary ones in that they cannot be used without a semantic verb, since they do not have an independent meaning. One of the auxiliary words is should.
Basic meaning of the verb
The modal verb should is usually translated into Russian as “must”, “should”. It is often used in cases where moral duty is involved. Or our interlocutor wants to give us advice, a recommendation, in which case we will also hear a construction with this modal verb in his sentence.
Like other modal verbs, the modal verb should in English does not change in gender and number. Whether the future tense is meant or the present tense, the meaning will be the same. This verb will be translated exactly the same: “should”, “should”. The meaning of a phrase or sentence with the modal verb should can change depending on the context in which it is used. For example, a speaker can use it to express advice, a wish, or perhaps a reproach.
- You should have call me earlier. She has already gone.- You should have called me earlier. She's already gone.
- Mike should take care of his children.- Mike should take care of his children.
- You should not work till midnight.- You shouldn't work until midnight.
- I guess that Martha should be more polite when talking to Jake.- I think Martha should have been more polite when talking to Jake.
Modal verb should: difference in usage depending on tense
It should also be noted that in Russian speech, unlike English, similar phrases can be attributed to any time; the phrases “should” and “should” will also be used.
However, in English, different constructions will be used depending on the tense. If we are talking about an action in the present tense or future tense, then this modal verb is used with an infinitive. When talking about the past tense, the modal verb should is used with the Perfect Infinitive. Let's look at this difference with a few specific examples:
- She should visit a doctor at least in a month.- She should see a doctor in at least a month.
- She shouldn`t have visit him yesterday. He was really upset with her behavior at the party.“She shouldn’t have come to him yesterday.” He was very upset by her behavior at the party.
Using should have
Sometimes the modal verb should is used as part of special constructions. For example, should have can be used when talking about events that took place in the past tense. At the same time, these events should have happened, but for some reason this did not happen. It is necessary to take into account that after this construction the past participle Past Participle is used.
- I should have told Jim the truth.- I had to tell Jim the truth.
- Jessika should have sent Mary the letter about this situation.- Jessica should have sent Mary a letter about this situation.
- You should have visit your old aunty. She was feeling bad.-You should have visited your old aunt. She felt bad.
When is the phrase shouldn`t have used?
The modal verb should in this construction is used in cases where it is necessary to make an assumption that some event has not yet occurred.
- Mark shouldn`t have left the office yet. I will call him.- Mark shouldn't have left the office yet. I will call him.
- She shouldn`t have taken the medicine yet.- She shouldn't have taken the medicine yet.
Should or had better?
It is necessary to note one more feature of the use of the modal verb should in English. It can be used as an auxiliary in those sentences where general advice is given.
If the speaker wants to give a recommendation in a specific situation, it is better to use the combination had better. Moreover, if this advice is not heeded, it will lead to dangerous consequences. Let's consider several examples for a comparative analysis of those cases in which these structures are used.
- People should keep their promises.- People must keep their promises.
- Every student should read this book.- Every student should read this book.
- Lucy had better go home.- Lucy had better go home.
- I had better give him a chance tomorrow.- I'd better give him a chance tomorrow.
- You had better be silent.- It would be better if you kept quiet.
Other features of the use of the modal verb should in English
The phrase had better is not used in the future tense. The verb should is needed here:
People should unplug TV-set before they sweep the dust off it.- You should turn off the TV before dusting it.
The negative form had better is not used. The verb should is also needed here:
You shouldn`t sweep the dust off the TV-set without unplugging it first.- You shouldn't have wiped the dust off the TV without unplugging it first.
You had better unplug the TV-set before you sweep the dust off it.- It's better to turn off the TV before wiping dust off it.
Using modal verbs shall and should: is there a difference?
When is it necessary to use the verb shall and when should? How are these words different and their role in the construction of an English sentence? And in general, many have heard that in reality the verb shall has long been outdated and no one uses it. Let us consider in order what the meaning of this verb is.
As for shall, at present it is really not used to denote an action that is planned in the future. It is used as a modal verb, although its meaning also carries a certain connotation of the future.
- Shall I do this job?-Should I do this work?
- Shall I help you?- Can you help me?
- Shall I write the text down?- Should I write down the text?
This modal verb gives a particularly polite sound to the statement. However, it may have another meaning. If used to address a person or group of people, it can carry the meaning of a threat or a warning.
You shall regret this action.- You will regret this action.
As for the use of this verb with pronouns, it can carry the meaning of a firm promise, assurance:
I shall achieve this goal.- I will achieve this goal.
It is also used in sentences and phrases that mean hopelessness:
I shall do it.- I will do it (I have no other choice)
The importance of distinguishing between two modal verbs
So, the verb shall differs from the verb should in its meaning. In fact, in modern English it is practically no longer used: as practice shows, most often this verb is used in sentences to do something for one’s interlocutor, to help. The remaining uses of the modal verb shall refer to older texts. It is necessary to use the verbs shall and should in cases where it is justified by the situation. If these verbs are mixed up, the sentence will have a completely different meaning.
To distinguish the verb shall from should, remember about the latter: it is used mainly for advice and recommendations. They often have an unobtrusive and friendly tone. Using this modal verb, the interlocutor can express his opinion on any issue.
The second meaning of the verb should is obligation, but in this case its meaning is not as expressive as, for example, in the modal verb must. Unlike must, the use of should leaves the final right of choice to the interlocutor. The modal verb must does not imply the possibility of disobedience - it is impossible not to follow these instructions.
It is known that in reality the verb should is the past tense form of the verb shall. In this meaning, it is practically not used now - this happens in rare cases when times are coordinated. As modal verbs, shall and should have completely different meaning-forming functions.
would not = wouldn't should can be used as an auxiliary or modal. In the first case, it is needed to construct grammatical constructions, for example (future in the past), in the second, to express the speaker’s attitude to the action. In this article we will look first at , and we will also look at should as an auxiliary verb.
Table: modal verb Should in affirmative, negative, interrogative form
Advice with should It is usually translated into Russian with the words “should”, “worth”.
You should spend more time with your family. - You should spend more time with your family.
You shouldn't drink this coffee. It's disgusting. - You not worth it drink this coffee, it's disgusting.
When talking about advice related to the future tense, you can also use should:
Lily should pass her exam later. – Lily should take the exam later.
You shouldn't go to that party on Sunday. - You not worth it go to this party on Sunday.
Synonym should a modal verb can serve - the meaning is almost the same, but ought to is used very rarely, especially in colloquial speech.
You ought to take care of your debts. - You should take care of your debts.
1.2. Commitment
This will not be a strict commitment like , but something like a recommendation with a hint of obligation. Usually concerns planned actions. Actions that, according to the plan, are supposed to happen. It is more appropriate to translate such sentences into Russian not with the words “should”, “worth”, but with “need”, “must”.
I should must be at work at 9 o'clock.
Please note that this meaning does not use the negative form, as the meaning will change. For example, the sentence “I shouldn’t be at work at 9 o’clock” will have a connotation of advice rather than a lack of obligation: “You shouldn’t be at work at 9 o’clock (it’s better to come later, no one will be there anyway).”
Synonym should turnover can serve as the meaning of obligation be supposed to, meaning: in theory it should, it is implied that it should.
I am supposed to be at work at 9 o’clock. - I should be (in theory) at work at 9 o'clock.
1.3. Expected action, probability
In Russian, the word “must” or “should” is sometimes used to mean expected action, probability. For example: She should already be at home = She is probably already at home = She is supposed (expected) to be at home already.
A similar construction in English uses a modal verb should.
By now, they should be in Moscow. -By this time they have already must be in Moscow (they are probably already in Moscow).
Ten dollars is enough. This T-shirt shouldn't cost more than that. - Ten dollars is enough, this one. t-shirt shouldn't cost more (expected to be no more than $10).
The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the goods during their manufacture. in this case it can be replaced by be supposed to.
This T-shirt is not supposed to cost more than 10 dollars. – This T-shirt shouldn't (in theory) costs more than 10 dollars.
2. Regret, reproach, probability, expected action - in the past tense
As in the Russian language, advice regarding the past is no longer advice, but regret about something missed or done incorrectly. You cannot advise something to happen in the past, you can only regret the missed opportunity. The turn of phrase often has a connotation of reproach.
We are running out of water. We should have taken more. - We're running out of water. I should have taken it more.
I have no time to read the book. I should have read it on the weekend. – I don’t have time to read a book. I should have read it her on the weekend.
Also, this construction, depending on the context, can mean a probable or expected action in the past. Something that was supposed to happen.
Her husband should have not returned shouldn't have come back from a business trip before Monday.
But more often in this case they use turnover be supposed to.
Her husband was not supposed to return from his business trip before Monday. - Her husband shouldn't have
