modal verb

should

Translation

should, ought to

You should see a doctor.

He should be here by now.

I should have studied more.

((should + base verb)) giving advice You should eat more vegetables.

((should be + ...)) expressing expectation She should be home by 6 PM.

((should have + past participle)) expressing past regret I should have called you.

Synonyms: ought to, had better; Antonyms: shouldn't

Past tense of Old English 'sculan' (to owe, be obliged). Related to 'shall'.

Think of 'should' as a soft obligation or a good idea. It's not as strong as 'must'.