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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 offering suggestions, advice, and expectations.
Shall
'Shall' is a modal verb that is used to:
Giving Commands
'Shall' is used in formal or legal contexts to show obligation and regulation or give a command that needs to be followed. For example:
The tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month.
Employees shall comply with safety regulations.
Showing Determination
'Shall' is used in formal contexts to express determination or resolve. For examples:
I shall have you listen to what I say.
I shall overcome this obstacle.
Making Suggestions
'Shall' can also be used to make suggestions or proposals in English, particularly in more formal contexts. For example:
Shall we start our meeting?
Shall we go home?
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.
Should we start our meeting?
Making Promises or Offers
'Shall' is often used in British English and formal contexts to make promises or to volunteer for something. For example:
Shall I make some tea?
I shall never break my promises!
Should
'Should' is the past tense of 'shall,' but it doesn't always express a past meaning; rather, it appears as the grammatical past tense of 'shall' in clauses that call for it.
Should: Functions
'Should' is used in a number of different contexts, including:
giving advice, suggestion or recommendation
talking about expectations
talking about unfulfilled obligations
giving an order or instruction
Giving Advice, Suggestion, or Recommendation
'Should' is commonly used to give advice or make suggestions in English. 'Should' is used to give advice based on what the speaker believes is the right or appropriate course of action. Take a look at the examples:
You should eat more vegetables.
This sentence offers a piece of advice or a recommendation.
You should watch The Harry Potter movies. They're awesome!
This sentence makes a suggestion.
You can also advise someone not to do something by using the negative form of 'should', which is 'shouldn't' or 'should not'. For example:
You shouldn't drink and drive.
He should not treat his friends like that.
Warning
Do not use verbs like 'think' or 'believe' with the negative form of 'should'.
To make such sentences negative, 'think' or 'believe' are negated, and 'should' is kept as it is. Here are some examples:
I don't think you should eat too many candies.
(NOT I think you shouldn't eat too many candies.)
Talking about Expectations
'Should' is also used to talk about a situation that is likely and expected to happen in the present or the future. It can also be used to predict the future. For example:
According to the weather forecast, it should be snowing tomorrow.
The bus should arrive in ten minutes.
'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 should have been more careful.
It means he wasn't careful enough.
I should have finished the book by Friday.
Here in this example the speaker means 'I didn't finish the book by Friday'.
Talking about Unfulfilled Obligations
'Should' can also be used in the present continuous tense to talk about obligations that are not being met.
In this case, we use 'should + be + verb + -ing'.
You should be studying for the exam.
In this case the addressee is not studying.
We should be helping our mother to make dinner.
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 should pay the fee beforehand.
This example refers to the obligation. They must pay the fee beforehand.
Should vs. 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 must pay the fee beforehand.
Using ''must'' is more direct.
Should vs. Ought
Sometimes 'should' is replaced by the semi-modal verb 'ought'. 'Ought' is more formal and is not used very commonly in spoken English.
You should apologize. = You ought to apologize.
Should in Conditionals
'Should' can be used in the condition clause of first conditionals to give a tentative tone to the condition. For example:
If you should need help, call me.
This usage can turn into an inverted clause by removing the condition marker:
Should you need help, call me.
'Should' can also be used in the result clause of second and third conditionals, but its use is less common and more nuanced than 'would':
If you asked politely, she should agree.
Less certain than "would"; implies "it's likely she'd agree."
If they had left on time, they should have arrived by now.
They didn't arrive, so they probably did not leave on time.
'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 should they serve but wine.
I was having fun, and who should I meet but Ian.
Review
'Shall' and 'Should' are used as modal verbs. The tables below summarize the different functions of 'shall' and 'should'.
shall | |
|---|---|
predicting the future | They shall get married. |
showing determination | I shall deal with this on my own. |
making suggestions | Shall we go to Becan Hills? |
making promises or offers | I shall be there for you. |
should | |
|---|---|
giving advice, suggestion or recommendation | You should drink some soup to get better. |
talking about expectations | The road should be covered by snow as it was snowing all night. |
giving an order or instruction | You should mix the eggs after whipping the cream. |
talking about unfulfilled obligations | You should be studying instead of playing videogames. |
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses "shall" to talk about the future?
We shall overcome these challenges.
Shall you join us for dinner?
I shall be there by 9 AM tomorrow.
The tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month.
Match each sentence with its correct function.
Fill the blanks with the correct modal.
we meet at the restaurant at 7 PM?
You
have submitted the report yesterday!
You
be listening to the teacher right now!
You
always wear a seatbelt when driving
I
be there at 9 a.m., no matter what.
Which sentence expresses a strong requirement?
You should wear a seatbelt.
You must wear a seatbelt.
You ought to wear a seatbelt.
A and C
Sort the words to form a conditional sentence.
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