Shall and Should
'Shall' and 'Should' are like relatives, because 'Should' is the past tense of 'Shall', but they have different functions despite their similarities.
Modal Verbs Shall and Should
'Shall' and 'should' are both modal verbs in English that are used to express various degrees of obligation or necessity, as well as suggestions, advice, and expectations. 'Shall' is often used to express a specific obligation or requirement, and 'should' is typically used to express a recommendation, suggestion, or advice.
Shall
'Shall' is a modal verb that is used to:
- predict the future
- show determination
- make suggestions
- make promises or offers
Talking about or Predicting the Future
Showing Determination
'Shall' is used in formal contexts to express determination. For examples:
I
They
Making Suggestions
'Shall' can also be used to make suggestions or proposals in English, particularly in more formal contexts. For example:
Should and Shall
You can also use the modal verb 'should' to make suggestions. There is no difference in meaning. But in modern English, 'should' is more commonly used.
Making Promises or Offers
'Shall' is often used in British English and formal contexts to make promises or to volunteer for something. For example:
I
Should
'Should' is a modal verb that is used for:
- giving advice, suggestion or recommendation
- predicting the future and talking about expectations
- giving an order or instruction
Giving Advice, Suggestion or Recommendation
using 'should' for giving advice
'Should' is commonly used to give advice or make suggestions in English. The use of 'should' in these cases implies a recommendation or suggestion based on what the speaker believes is the right or appropriate course of action. Pay attention to the examples:
You
This sentence offers a piece of advice or a recommendation.
You
This sentence makes a suggestion.
Advising Not to Do Something
You can advise someone not to do something by using the negative form of 'should', which is 'shouldn't' or 'should not'. For example:
You
He \should not\ treat his friends like that.
Warning
Do not use phrases like 'I think' or 'I believe' with the negative form of 'should'.
To make such sentences negative, 'think' or 'believe' are used in the negative form, and 'should' is kept as it is. Pay attention to the example:
I
(NOT I think you shouldn't eat too many candies.)
Predicting the Future and Talking about Expectations
'Should' is also used to talk about a situation that is likely and probable to happen in the present or the future. It is used to talk about expectations and predictions. For example:
According to the weather forecast, it
The bus
Talking about Expectations in the Past
'Should' can also be used to talk about something that was expected to happen in the past, but did not happen.
In this case, we use 'should + have + past participle'. For example:
He
It means he wasn't careful enough.
I
Here in this example the speaker means 'I didn't finish the book by Friday'.
Talking about Expectations in the Present
'Should' can also be used in the present continuous tense to talk about obligations that are not being met or somebody who is not acting the right way currently.
In this case, we use 'should + be + verb + -ing'.
You
In this case the addressee is not studying.
We
Giving an Order or Instruction
'Should' is sometimes used to express an obligation, give orders, or provide instructions. When used in this way, 'should' is often used to suggest that something is necessary or expected, rather than to give a direct command. Take a look at the examples:
All visitors
This example refers to the obligation. They must pay the fee beforehand.
Should or Must?
The modal verb 'must' can also be used for giving orders. The difference between 'should' and 'must' is that 'should' is not as strong as 'must'. Using 'should' is more polite.
All visitors
Using ''must'' is more direct.
Should or Ought to
Sometimes 'should' is replaced by the modal verb 'ought to'. 'Ought to' is more formal and it is not used very commonly in spoken English.
You
'Should + But'
There is a specific grammatical structure in English that involves the use of the modal verb 'should'. This structure typically includes a background sentence, followed by one of the interrogative pronouns (what or who) placed before 'should', and then the word 'but' followed by a phrase that expresses a surprising or unexpected outcome.
Take a look at the examples.
I went to the party and what
I was having fun, and who
Review
'Shall' and 'Should' are used as modal verbs. They have many functions as were discussed in the article. So, let us take a look at some more examples to be clarified.
| Shall | |
|---|---|
| Predicting the future |
They |
| Showing determination |
The students |
| Making suggestions |
|
| Making promises or offers |
I |
| Should | |
|---|---|
| Giving advice, suggestion or recommendation |
You |
| Predicting future and talking about expectations |
The road |
| Expressing an order or instruction |
You |
| Advising not to do something |
you |
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