Content introduction modal verbs can 11 may 18

Should

In modern English the modal verb should is used with reference to the present or future. It remains unchanged in reported speech.

Should has the following meanings:

1. 
   obligation, which in different contexts may acquire additional shades of meaning, such as advisability and desirability,
   

E.g. It’s late. You should go to bed.

You shouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Should I talk to him about it?

He said that the status of the Greek minority should be viewed in the light of political balance. (Moscow news)

He said that this was not a temporary problem. Lasting arrangements should be made. (W. Faulkner)

Should in this meaning is found in all kinds of sentences. Like ought to it generally refers an action to the future and followed by the simple infinitive.

With reference to the resent should is used with the Continuous Infinitive or with the simple infinitive if the verb is stative.

E.g. You shouldn’t be sitting in home. Move out of it into the garden.

You shouldn’t feel so unhappy over such trifles.

Should may be combined with the Perfect Infinitive. In this case the meaning of the combination depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative. In an affirmative sentence should + Perfect Infinitive indicates that a desirable action was not carried out.

E.g. He looks very ill. He should have stayed at home.

He should have told me about it himself.

In a negative sentence should + Perfect Infinitive serves to show that an undesirable action was carried out.

E.g. Oh, John, you shouldn’t have done as you did.

They shouldn’t have concealed it from us.

2.