should

B1 · Intermediate

v. you use this to say that you expect something to happen because it is likely.

v. used to indicate that an event or state is probable or expected based on current facts.

日本語:はず※

“The bus should be here in five minutes if the traffic is light.”

“Given the current rate of progress, the construction crew should finish the structural work before the winter rains begin.”

C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary

v. used in 'if' sentences to talk about things that might happen.

v. used in conditional clauses to express a possibility, often replacing 'if' in formal inversion.

Español:si

“Should you need any help, please call me at any time.”

“Should the negotiations fail to reach a consensus by midnight, the mediators are prepared to suggest a temporary cooling-off period.”

C1 · Advanced British English · Formal · Archaic

v. an old-fashioned or very formal way to say 'would' when talking about yourself.

v. used with 'I' or 'we' as a formal alternative to 'would' in conditional structures.

“I should be delighted to join you for dinner next week.”

“We should be most grateful if you could forward the signed documents at your earliest convenience.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Academic · Formal

n. something that people feel they must do, even if they do not want to.

n. a duty or obligation, often contrasted with what is actually happening.

“Life is full of 'shoulds' that make us feel guilty.”

“The philosopher explored the tension between the 'is' of reality and the 'should' of moral idealism.”