# shouldn't

CEFR A2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shouldnt
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

the short form of 'should not'. You use it to say that something is a bad idea or that you do not expect it to happen.

For teachers: the contracted form of 'should not', used to express negative obligation, advice, or low probability.

## Examples

- You shouldn't eat so much sugar.
- We shouldn't have any trouble finding the house if we follow the map carefully.
- While the data suggests a trend, one shouldn't assume that these results will remain consistent across all demographics without further testing.

## Pitfalls

- Not "You shouldn't to go there." but "You shouldn't go there." — The modal verb 'shouldn't' is followed by the bare infinitive, not the full infinitive with 'to'.

## Usage notes

- A modal auxiliary verb followed by the base form of the main verb without 'to'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.