that he should

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that he should' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce a verb phrase to express something that someone is expected or is obliged to do. For example: The teacher expected that he should finish the work by the end of the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For that, he should be commended.

Huffington Post

After that, he should probably take a holiday.

Vice

I said that he should.

The Guardian - Books

That he should stay strong.

The New York Times

But she agrees that he should try.

The New York Times

Not that he should be surprised.

The Guardian - Business

Thieu that he should defy Pres.

The New Yorker

It's understandable that he should feel weary.

The Guardian - Sport

"I didn't intend that he should fall".

The Guardian

That he should not be expelled?

The Guardian - Opinion

Obviously I don't agree that he should be tried".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that he should" to introduce a clause expressing a recommendation, obligation, or expectation. Ensure the main clause sets the context for why the subsequent action is being advised or required.

Common error

Avoid using "that he should" when a simple indicative form is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "I thought that he should went", use "I thought that he should go" or "I thought that he went".

Linguistic Context

That he should functions as a subordinate conjunction, introducing a clause that expresses a necessity, recommendation, or expectation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its role in conveying suggestions or obligations following verbs of suggestion or command.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that he should" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as a subordinate conjunction to express necessity, recommendation, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, indicating its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, it can lean towards professional, making it suitable for various formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize suggestion, requirement, or obligation, particularly after verbs expressing such notions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's imperative that he

Emphasizes the necessity or urgency of the action.

it is essential that he

Highlights the critical importance of the action.

he is obliged to

Focuses on the sense of duty or legal requirement.

he is required to

Emphasizes a formal or imposed requirement.

it is advisable for him to

Suggests a recommended course of action.

he ought to

Indicates a moral or practical obligation.

it's recommended that he

Presents the action as a suggestion or advice.

he is expected to

Highlights an anticipation or expectation of the action.

it's his duty to

Stresses the responsibility associated with the action.

he has a responsibility to

Similar to 'it's his duty', emphasizing accountability.

FAQs

How do I use "that he should" in a sentence?

Use "that he should" to introduce a clause expressing a suggestion, recommendation, or obligation following a verb of suggestion, command, or necessity. For example, "It is imperative "that he should" attend the meeting."

What's a more concise way to express the same idea as "that he should"?

You could use phrases like "he ought to", "he needs to", or "he must" depending on the degree of obligation you want to convey. For instance, instead of "It's recommended "that he should" apply early", you could say "He ought to apply early".

Is "that he should" formal or informal?

The phrase "that he should" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Its formality depends on the context and the surrounding language. In most cases, it is acceptable in both formal and informal writing.

When is it better to use "that he should" instead of a simpler construction?

Use "that he should" when you want to emphasize the element of suggestion, requirement, or obligation, particularly after verbs expressing such notions. This construction can add a layer of nuance that a simpler construction might miss.