Should: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘
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should

 

[ สƒสŠd ]

Modal verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Modal verb

expressing obligation or duty

Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions.

Synonyms

must, need to, ought to

Examples of usage

  • You should apologize for your behavior.
  • We should always treat others with respect.
  • Should you need any assistance, please let me know.
Context #2 | Modal verb

expressing possibility or likelihood

Used to indicate what is probable or expected in a particular situation.

Synonyms

expected to, likely to

Examples of usage

  • It should be sunny tomorrow.
  • She should have received the package by now.

Translations

Translations of the word "should" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น deveria

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคนเคฟเค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sollte

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ harus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฒะธะฝะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ powinien

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ™ในใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท devrait

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ deberรญa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท olmalฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•ด์•ผ ํ•œ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฌุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mฤ›l by

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mal by

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅบ”่ฏฅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ bi moral

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รฆtti

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะตั€ะตะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒœแƒ“แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ olmalฤฑdฤฑr

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ deberรญa

Etymology

The word 'should' originated from the Old English word 'sceolde', the past tense of 'sceal' which meant 'owe' or 'shall'. Over time, 'should' evolved to its current usage in Modern English, serving as a modal verb to express various meanings of obligation, duty, possibility, or likelihood.

See also: shoulder.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #44, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.