should

Something that ought to be the case as opposed to already being the case.

Noun

  1. Something that ought to be the case as opposed to already being the case.
    • When the golf ball is there, the whole self-interference package — the hopes, worries, and fears; the thoughts on how-to and how-not-to; the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds — is there too. - 1996, Fred Shoemaker,...
    • However, we can address maladaptive shoulds by examining the differences between prior events, causes, proximate causes, and moral responsibility. - 2003, Robert L. Leahy, Overcoming Resistance in Cognitive Therapy:
    • Being a list-o-maniac, I suggested we make a list of the "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts." So in the darkness of hazy sleep, I began to mentally prepare mine. The first item on the "should" side was easy: a sibling for our...

Origin

From Middle English scholde, from Old English sċolde, first and third person preterite form of sċulan (“should,” “have to,” “to owe”), the ancestor of English shall. By surface analysis, shall + -ed. Cognate with German sollte, Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌿𐌻𐌳𐌰 (skulda), Swedish skulle. Related to Middle English shild and shildy. The loss of /l/ in this word is probably due to weak stress, as in would and could (though in the latter, the /l/ was due to the analogy of the former two).

Forms

shoulds shou'd shoulde

Related

precatory

Verb auxiliary, defective

  1. Ought to; indicating opinion, advice, or instruction, about what is required or desirable.
    • You should never drink and drive.
    • The law is clear that you should always wear a seat belt.
    • The manual says that this switch should be in the 'off' position.

    1. Used to issue an instruction (traditionally seen as carrying less force of authority than alternatives such as 'shall' or 'must').

    2. Used to give advice or opinion that an action is, or would have been, beneficial or desirable.

      • You should go and see that film. I think you'll enjoy it.
      • Should we go and see the police, do you think?
      • She should not have been so rude.

    3. (informal) With verbs such as 'see' or 'hear', usually in the second person, used to point out something remarkable in either a good or bad way.

      • You should see his new apartment. It's like a palace!
      • If you think her piano playing is bad, you should hear her sing!

    4. In questions, asks what is correct, proper, desirable, etc.

      • What do you think? What should I do?
      • Next month, Clemons will be brought before a court presided over by a "special master", who will review the case one last time. The hearing will be unprecedented in its remit, but at its core will be a simple issue:...
  2. Ought to; expressing expectation.
    • They should have finished by now; I'll call them to check.
    • My fruit trees should be in flower, but the cold spring has set them back.

    1. Indicates that something is expected to have happened or to be the case now.

    2. Will be likely to (become or do something); indicates a degree of possibility or probability that the stated thing will happen or be true in the future.

      • They should have it finished by Friday.
      • When you press this button, the pilot flame should ignite.
      • You should be warm enough with that coat.
  3. Used to form a variant of the present subjunctive, expressing a state or action that is hypothetical, potential, mandated, etc.
    • If I should be late, I should hope that you are prepared to go on without me.
    • Should you need extra blankets, you will find them in the closet.
    • It's his proposal that there (should) not be several dozen units.

    Synonyms: were

  4. An alternative to would with first person subjects.
    • If I had not been so tired, I should have laughed heartily.
    • "If our friends, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, were only with us," said the Lion, "I should be quite happy." - 1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge]...
    • "Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert," replied Glinda. "If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country." "But then I should not have had my...

    1. (formal or literary) Used to express a conditional outcome.

    2. (formal or literary outside certain combinations such as with 'imagine' or 'think') Used to impart a tentative, conjectural or polite nuance.

      • I should imagine that they have arrived by now.
      • I should think you would apologize.
      • I should be very grateful to receive your prompt reply. (formal or old-fashioned)

    3. Used to express what the speaker would do in another person's situation, as a means of giving a suggestion or recommendation.

      • It's disgraceful the way that they've treated you. I should write and complain.
      • As this happens to be Saturday it gives you a day's grace. I should go round and see the chiefs to-morrow. Tell them all about it and what I have said. - 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:

Forms

should shou'd shoulde

Synonyms

ought

Antonyms

shouldn't

Related

shouldst should've shoulda one should be so lucky one should live so long

Derived

as who should say children should be seen and not heard he who sups with the devil should have a long spoon how should I know I should coco I should cocoa might should no one should be judge in his own case no one should be judge in his own cause one should never meet one's heroes or should I say people that live in glass houses should not throw stones people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones people who live in glass houses should not throw stones people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones proverbs should be sold in pairs proverbs should be writ in pairs proverbs should come in pairs proverbs should go in pairs should-cost should hope should on should see the other guy those who live in glass houses should not throw stones

Verb form of, past

  1. simple past of shall
    • I told him that I should be busy tomorrow.
    • I was astonished at this polite offer, which my modesty induced me to ascribe more to my uniform than to my own merits, and, as I felt no inclination to refuse the compliment, I said that I should be most happy. - 1833,...

Forms

shou'd shoulde

Verb auxiliary, defective

  1. To suggest (that someone ought to do something, or that something ought to be the case) by, or as if by, using the word should.
    • I'd prefer that she stop shoulding me. I prefer that I stop shoulding me. I prefer that I stop shoulding her. - 2008 November 1, Damon L. Jacobs, Absolutely Should-Less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You...
    • […] for her to be kind to herself and less susceptible to others shoulding her. - 2015 March 8, Diane Brandon, Dream Interpretation for Beginners: Understand the Wisdom of Your Sleeping Mind, Llewellyn Worldwide, →ISBN:

Forms

shoulds shoulding shoulded shou'd shoulde