Definition and meaning of English word "should"
should
/ʃʊd/
Meaning
Verbsimple past of shall.
How to use
The verb 'should' is often used in formal and informal contexts to express obligation or recommendation. For example, 'You should study for the exam' or 'The company should expand its operations.' However, it's worth noting that 'should' can sometimes be misused as a past tense of 'shall', as in 'I should have gone to the store yesterday.' This is incorrect, as 'should' is a modal verb and should be used to express possibility or necessity.
🇬🇧 English
should
Example
You should try.
I should go.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- should have— ought to have
- should not— ought not to
- should be— ought to be
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #333 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "should" mean?▼
The English word "should" means "should" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "should"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "should" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "should"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Gives advice or recommendation." (which translates as "should").
More Core Verbs words
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