Learn how to use SHOULD or SHOULDN'T to give advice, suggestions, opinions and recommendations in English. Should is a modal verb, and modal verbs are followed by an infinitive (without to). The main verb can never be the to-infinitive. We cannot say: He should to go. There is no short form for should, but we can shorten the negative should not to shouldn't. The meaning of SHOULD is —used in auxiliary function to express condition —usually used with if. How to use should in a sentence. SHOULD definition: 1. used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do: 2. used to show when something is…. Learn more. We use the full form should not in formal contexts or when we want to emphasis something: We should not forget those who have given their lives in the defence of freedom. Learn how to use the English verbs should, must, and ought to. Get clear, simple grammar advice from expert English teachers at the British Council. SHOULD definition: must; ought (used to indicate duty, propriety, or expediency). See examples of should used in a sentence. Usage: Should has, as its most common meaning in modern English, the sense ought as in I should go to the graduation, but I don't see how I can. However, the older sense of the subjunctive of shall is often used with I or we to indicate a more polite form than would: I should like to go, but I can't. Sometimes Should is used instead of Must to make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite. This may appear more frequently on formal notices or on information sheets. The meaning of SHOULD in English with example sentences. Learn English modal verbs - Should vs Ought to.