should

should

verbal auxiliary \shəd, ˈshu̇d\

Definition of SHOULD

past of shall

1

—used in auxiliary function to express condition <if he should leave his father, his father would die — Genesis 44:22(Revised Standard Version)>

2

—used in auxiliary function to express obligation, propriety, or expediency <'tis commanded I should do so — Shakespeare> <this is as it should be — H. L. Savage> <you should brush your teeth after each meal>

3

—used in auxiliary function to express futurity from a point of view in the past <realized that she should have to do most of her farm work before sunrise — Ellen Glasgow>

4

—used in auxiliary function to express what is probable or expected <with an early start, they should be here by noon>

5

—used in auxiliary function to express a request in a polite manner or to soften direct statement <I should suggest that a guide…is the first essential — L. D. Reddick>

Origin of SHOULD

Middle English sholde, from Old English sceolde owed, was obliged to, ought to

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with SHOULD

good, hood, pud, rudd, wood, would, yod