ENGLISH NOTE. 15 " SHOULD"

In this post, let me take up the modal verb, " should ".

1.OBLIGATION.

"Should " is generally used for expressing obligation.  The following examples may be useful.

The professor tells his students, " Tomorrow,my class will commence at 9-30 am instead of 10 am. You should be present on time."

You should not talk in the library.  It disturbs others.

You should not throw letters in the office premises.  Use the dustbin.

2. Asking questions or advice

Should I join French class this summer?

Should I carry my identity card while traveling?

Should I get myself vaccinated before going abroad?

3. DEDUCING PROBABILITY

When something is normally expected to happen based on certain facts, one can use " should ". In other words,the probability of that event is higher according to the speaker.

Raja left Bangalore at 3pm. Now it is 6pm. He should be in Mysore now.

According to meteorological department, the cyclone should hit Vizag around 4am tomorrow.

3.CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

In British English, " should " is used in first person singular and plural for the past conditional. In other words,what you would do if something else happened first.

If I were rich, I should not be here.

If we had sufficient means,we should purchase this house.

4. INDIRECT SPEECH

" SHOULD " is used as the past form of that" shall" when reporting what somebody has said.

He said, " Shall I get you some coffee?"

He asked me if he should get me some coffee.

5. POLITE REQUESTS

In British English," should" is used with " I" and "we" for expressing polite requests.

I should like you to attend the meeting.

We should be grateful for the timely help.

6. FOR EXPRESSING SOMETHING EXPECTED WHICH HAD NOT HAPPENED

The Brindavan Express should have reached Bangalore by 1 pm.

I think that it is running late.

7. EXPRESSING ANNOYANCE, REFUSAL,SURPRISE AT A REQUEST.USED WITH INTERROGATE WORDS

Why should I give you money?

How should I treat you? Tell me.

Who should pay for all this extravaganza?

What should I tell your parents?  Your performance in the monthly test is so pathetic?

8. In modern English, " should " is not much used. " WOULD " is preferred.  There will be a separate note on " Would ". The main use of " should " in current usage is to express an obligation.  In other words,what one ought to do.

Advice

You should read good English texts to master the use of different expressions.  Listen to good programmes in tv and radio as often as possible. Mastering a language requires enormous efforts.

SAYEE JAYARAMAN

22/02/2015