Ever feel a little tongue-tied when you want to give advice, state a possibility, or even ask something politely in English?
Well, “should” is a tiny word that has so many uses, making it a super important part of everyday conversations.
This article is going to show you how to use should in a sentence.
We'll break down exactly why it's so important to master and how you can use it confidently for all sorts of purposes. Let’s dive in!
Using “Should” to Indicate What is Probable
“Should” is a word that shows something that's likely to happen or something we predict will occur.
Usually, when we use "should" here, it's not about 100% certainty, but more about a pretty strong likelihood or a reasonable expectation. For example:
- “The traffic is usually pretty chill at this hour, so we should get there super quick!”
- “He's been studying like crazy for that exam, so he should get a good grade!”
- “The weather forecast is all sunshine, so we should have an awesome day chilling at the beach!”
- “If you follow the recipe step-by-step, that cake should come out absolutely yummy!”
- “She gets those tickets way in advance, so they should have some good seats!”
- “The meeting's about to start, so the boss should be popping in here soon."
- “He's been playing that piano every single day, so he should be able to play that song like a pro!”
- “Just take this medicine, and your headache should be gone!”
- “They've been training hard lately, so they should win the competition!”
- “With this new software update, the whole system should be much faster!”
Also Read: How to Use 4 Types of Conditional Sentences in English
Using “Should” to Recommend Something
Now, here's one of the uses of "should" that we probably use the most in our daily lives: giving advice or recommendations to other people.
"Should" here sounds softer and less demanding than if we directly tell someone to do something.
It's a really good way to share ideas or offer suggestions politely. For example:
- “You should absolutely try that new Italian place downtown, their pasta is out of this world!”
- “If you're feeling all worn out, you should definitely treat yourself to some rest and relaxation.”
- “They should really say sorry for how they acted, it was seriously not cool.”
- “We should totally check out the museum while we're in town, they've got some amazing stuff!”
- “You should try to get some more exercise, it would do wonders for your health!”
- “You should read that book, it's a real page-turner!”
- “They should think about getting a bigger shelter, their cats really need the space!”
- “We should probably start stashing some cash away for our dream vacation.”
- “She should have a chat with her manager about what's bothering her, it might help."
- “You should learn a new language, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities!"
Using “Should” to Ask Something
We can also use "should" to ask questions, you know! Usually, using "should" in a question adds a touch of politeness or even a bit of surprise or expectation.
It's a great way to ask questions without sounding too direct or demanding. For example:
- “Hey, should I grab a little something for the party, like a gift?”
- “Hmm, shouldn't he have given me a call by now? I was really expecting to hear from him.”
- “Should we wait for them, or do you think we should just go straight in?”
- “Shouldn't you be doing that work instead of watching TV all the time?”
- “Should I throw on a jacket? Is it a bit cold out there?”
- “Shouldn't they already know the answer to such a simple question? Seems like common knowledge!”
- “Should we maybe book those tickets ahead of time, just to be safe?”
- “Hmm, shouldn't that package have shown up already? It was supposed to be delivered today, right?”
- “Do you think I should offer him a hand? He looks like he's having a bit of a tough time.”
- “Shouldn't there be more people at this meeting? I think everyone should be there.”
Also Read: Your vs You’re: Which One Should You Use?
Conclusion
Now you've got a good foundation for using “should” in a sentence with more confidence.
Don't stop here though! Keep practicing and pay attention to how "should" is used in everyday conversations and writing.
Improve your English skills with EZClass now! Also, check out the EZClass blog to discover more interesting articles.
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