What does SHOULD mean?
Definitions for SHOULD
ʃʊdshould
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word SHOULD.
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Wiktionary
shouldnoun
A statement of what should be the case as opposed to what is the case.
shouldverb
Be obliged to; have an obligation to; ought to;
shouldverb
Will likely (become or do something);
You should be warm enough with that coat.
shouldverb
A variant of would.
Etymology: sceolde, preterite form of sculan.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Shouldverb
Etymology: scude, Dutch; sceoldan , Saxon.
Let not a desperate action more engage you
Than safety should. Ben Jonson, Catiline.Some praises come of good wishes and respects, when by telling men what they are, they represent to them what they should be. Francis Bacon.
To do thee honour I will shed their blood,
Which the just laws, if I were faultless, should. Edmund Waller.So subjects love just kings, or so they should. Dryden.
I conclude, that things are not as they should be. Jonathan Swift.
The girls look upon their father as a clown, and the boys think their mother no better than she should be. Addison.
There is a fabulous narration, that in the northern countries there should be an herb that groweth in the likeness of a lamb, and feedeth upon the grass. Francis Bacon, Nat. History.
Wikipedia
should
The English modal verbs are a subset of the English auxiliary verbs used mostly to express modality (properties such as possibility, obligation, etc.). They can be distinguished from other verbs by their defectiveness (they do not have participle or infinitive forms) and by their neutralization (that they do not take the ending -(e)s in the third-person singular). The principal English modal verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must. Certain other verbs are sometimes classed as modals; these include ought, had better, and (in certain uses) dare and need. Verbs which share only some of the characteristics of the principal modals are sometimes called "quasi-modals", "semi-modals", or "pseudo-modals".
ChatGPT
should
The term "should" is used to express moral obligation, advisability, or correctness. It implies that something is considered to be the right or appropriate course of action, based on ethical, social, or personal standards. "Should" is often used to offer recommendations, give advice, or make judgments about what is desirable or expected.
Webster Dictionary
Should
of Shall
Should
used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); e. g.: they should have come last week; if I should go; I should think you could go
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Should
shood, pa.t. of shall. [A.S. sceolde, pa.t. of sceal; cf. Shall.]
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'SHOULD' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #88
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'SHOULD' in Written Corpus Frequency: #128
Verbs Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'SHOULD' in Verbs Frequency: #20
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of SHOULD in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of SHOULD in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7
Examples of SHOULD in a Sentence
Some would say that he has dropped the ball... on the other hand, I think pragmatists would say,' Well he's got his priorities straight. Focus on denuclearization first, and human rights second', i don't think it should be an either-or choice.
The lack of proportionality between the tiny increase in risk and lack of control, and the liability for all damaged by heatwaves, bushfires and rising sea levels to all Australians under the age of 18 ongoing into the future, mean that the duty in tort should not be imposed.
I'm very clear about what I think he should do.
There is very strong concern here, we think there should be a specialized independent investigation commission to know the true causes and motives for the assassination.
The more high-risk events that people go to, the more risk adds one on top of another, you should choose the event of the highest value to you but reduce your exposure to other high-risk events.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
Translations for SHOULD
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
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