should

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "should" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a recommendation or expectation, or in questions expecting a specific answer. Example sentence: What should I do if the package doesn't arrive on time?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that is as it should be.

The Economist

Should it?

The New York Times

So he should.

The Guardian

And he should know.

The New York Times

But should they?

The New York Times

So it should.

The New York Times - Arts

I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself.

The Guardian

"For customers intending to start or finish their journey at King's Cross, consideration should be given to deferring travel plans to either Sunday or Monday.

The Guardian - Business

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

But it should be.

The New York Times

The government should not tell women what to wear, the home secretary has said, amid ongoing debate over the use of full-face veils.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing obligation, consider the strength of the obligation. "Must" or "have to" might be more appropriate if the obligation is strict, while "should" is better for softer recommendations.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "should" when "would" is grammatically correct, especially in conditional sentences. "Should" expresses obligation or expectation, while "would" expresses a hypothetical situation or a polite request. For example, instead of saying "If I would have known, I would have helped," the correct sentence is "If I had known, I would have helped."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "should" is as a modal verb. It is used to express obligation, recommendation, expectation, or possibility. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "should" functions as a modal verb, commonly used to express advice, obligation, or expectation. Ludwig's AI confirms that the term is valid. As shown by Ludwig, "should" sees frequent use within news and media sources and can be replaced by similar words such as "ought to" or "must", depending on the context and intended strength of the recommendation. Remembering that "should" is typically neutral in register and is most effective when used to guide rather than dictate, is vital. It is also important not to confuse it with "would" in conditional clauses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to

Indicates a similar level of obligation or moral correctness, often interchangeable with "should".

need to

Emphasizes necessity or requirement, making the obligation feel more pressing than "should".

must

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or requirement than "should", indicating something is essential.

have to

Suggests an external obligation or rule that necessitates the action, unlike the more internal suggestion of "should".

it is advisable to

Offers a formal recommendation, replacing the directness of "should" with a more cautious tone.

it is recommended that

Similar to 'it is advisable to', this is a formal suggestion, often used in guidelines or instructions instead of "should".

it would be best to

Indicates the optimal course of action, presenting a slightly more persuasive alternative to "should".

it is expected that

Focuses on an anticipated outcome, shifting from obligation to prediction, unlike the suggestive nature of "should".

are required to

Highlights a strict necessity dictated by rules or laws, a stronger directive than "should".

be obliged to

Denotes a formal or legal duty, differing from the moral or advisory tone often associated with "should".

FAQs

How can I use "should" to give advice?

"Should" is commonly used to give advice by expressing what is believed to be the best course of action. For example, "You should try the new restaurant downtown" suggests it would be a good experience.

What's the difference between "should" and "must"?

"Must" indicates a stronger obligation or necessity than "should". "You must submit your application by Friday" implies a strict deadline, while "You should submit your application soon" is a gentler suggestion.

Is it correct to use "should" in conditional sentences?

Yes, "should" can be used in conditional sentences, especially when expressing a possibility or less certain condition. For example, "If it should rain, we'll move the party indoors." However, in most conditional sentences, "would" is more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "should" for making recommendations?

You can use alternatives like "ought to", "it is recommended that", or "it is advisable to" for making recommendations in formal contexts. In more casual situations, consider "need to".