Should

/ʃəd/ · verb

Meaning

simple past of shall.

Definitions by Sense

1. simple past of shall
2. Ought to; indicating opinion, advice, or instruction, about what is required or desirable.
3. Ought to; expressing expectation.
4. (subjunctive) Used to form a variant of the present subjunctive, expressing a state or action that is hypothetical, potential, mandated, etc.
5. An alternative to would with first person subjects.
6. 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.
7. Something that ought to be the case as opposed to already being the case.

Example Sentences

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.

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.

I regret that it should have happened, but I was really shocked that he should say that.

He is noted for coming up with his 'wager', in which he argued that he was prepared to believe in God on the grounds that he had nothing to lose if he was wrong, and everything to gain should he be right.

'One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize to-night, / But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light; / Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day, / Then look for me by moonlight, / Watch for me by moonlight, / I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way.'

Synonyms for should

Antonyms for should

Related Words

Word Forms

• shou'd
• shoulde
• should
• shoulds
• shoulding
• shoulded

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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