should

Examples

• All

• The train should arrive at the station in ten minutes.

• According to the forecast, it should be sunny tomorrow.

• If you leave now, you should get there before it gets dark.

• It should rain tomorrow.

• If you leave now, you should get there before it gets dark.

• The train should arrive at the station in ten minutes.

• According to the forecast, it should be sunny tomorrow.

Synonyms

S

shouldest

vsshould

• Archaic

9.9

To be an old second-person form used with thou to show duty or advice

is the modern general form used today rather than archaic second person

S

shouldst

vsshould

• Archaic

9.9

To be an old form people used with 'thou' to give advice or talk about duty

is the modern general form used today rather than archaic second person

O

ought

vsshould

3.4

To be expected or right to do something and likely to happen

focuses on likelihood or expectation rather than moral duty

S

supposed to

vsshould

2.1

To be expected to happen or to be required to do something

indicates likelihood or expectation rather than obligation or requirement

Idioms

W

who should not

• Informal

32 9.9

You say this after praising yourself to seem modest or unsure

Y

you should see the other guy

• Informal

9.7

Says as a joke to show someone else is more hurt after a fight

Z

to zig when he should zag

• Informal

9.9

To make the wrong choice when a different action is needed

Z

to zig when someone should zag

• Informal

9.9

To do the wrong thing when a different action is needed

How Likely

must

6 1.0

will

1.0

should

1.0

may

1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology