English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 34: Should 2

You can use should after:

  • insist
  • recommend
  • suggest
  • demand
  • propose

  • I insisted that he should apologise.
  • Doctors recommend that everyone should eat plenty of fruit.
  • What do you suggest we should do?
  • Many people are demanding that something should be done about the problem.

also
It's important/vital/necessary/essential that ... should ... :
  • It's essential that everyone should be here on time.

You can also leave out should in the sentences in section A. So you can say:
  • It's essential that everyone be here on time. (= ... that everyone should be here)
  • I insisted that he apologise. (= ... that he should apologise)
  • What do you suggest we do?
  • Many people are demanding that something be done about the problem.

This form (be/do/apologise etc.) is called the subjunctive. It is the same as the infinitive (without to). You can also use normal present and past tenses:
  • It's essential that everyone is here on time.
  • I insisted that he apologised.

After suggest, you cannot use to ... ('to do I to buy' etc.). You can say:
  • What do you suggest we should do?
    or What do you suggest we do? (but not What do you suggest us to do?)
  • Jane won the lottery.
    I suggested that she should buy a car with the money she'd won.
    or I suggested that she buy a car.
    or I suggested that she bought a car. (but not I suggested her to buy)

You can also use -ing after suggest (What do you suggest doing?). See Unit 53.

You can use should after a number of adjectives, especially:

  • strange
  • odd
  • funny
  • typical
  • natural
  • interesting
  • surprised
  • surprising

  • It's strange that he should be late. He's usually on time.
  • I was surprised that he should say such a thing.

You can say 'If something should happen ... '. For example:
  • We have no jobs at present, but if the situation should change, we will contact you.

You can also begin with should (Should something happen ... ):
  • Should the situation change, we will contact you.

This means the same as 'If the situation changes, ... '. With should, the speaker feels that the possibility is smaller.

You can use I should ... / I shouldn't ... to give somebody advice. For example:
  • 'Shall I leave now?' 'No, I should wait a bit.'

Here, I should wait = I would wait if I were you, I advise you to wait.
More examples:
  • ‘I'm going out now. Is it cold out?’  ‘Yes, I should wear a coat.’
  • I shouldn't stay up too late. You have to be up early tomorrow.

34.1 Write a sentence (beginning in the way shown) that means the same as the first sentence.

  1. ‘I think it would be a good idea to see a specialist,’ the doctor said to me.
    The doctor recommended that .
  2. ‘You really must stay a little longer,’ she said to me.
    She insisted that I __________ .
  3. ‘Why don't you visit the museum after lunch?’ I said to them.
    I suggested that __________ .
  4. ‘You must pay the rent by Friday,’ the landlord said to us.
    The landlord demanded that __________ .
  5. ‘Why don't we go away for a few days?’ Jack said to me.
    Jack suggested that __________ .

34.2 Are these sentences right or wrong?

  1. Tom suggested that I should look for another job.
    • right
    • wrong
  2. Tom suggest ed that I look for another job.
    • right
    • wrong
  3. Tom suggested that I looked for another job.
    • right
    • wrong
  4. Tom suggested me to look for another job.
    • right
    • wrong
  5. Where do you suggest I go for my holiday?
    • right
    • wrong
  6. Where do you suggest me to go for my holiday?
    • right
    • wrong
  7. Where do you suggest I should go for my holiday?
    • right
    • wrong

34.3 Complete the sentences using should + the following:

  • ask
  • be
  • leave
  • listen
  • say
  • worry
  1. It's strange that he late. He's usually on time.
  2. It's funny that you __________ that. I was going to say the same thing.
  3. It's only natural that parents __________ about their children.
  4. Isn't it typical of Joe that he __________ without saying goodbye to anybody?
  5. I was surprised that they __________ me for advice. What advice could I give them?
  6. I'm going to give you all some essential information, so it's important that everybody __________ very carefully.

34.4 Use the words in brackets to complete these sentences. Use If ... should ....
Write sentences 3 and 4 again, this time beginning with Should.

  1. We have no jobs at present. (the situation / change)
    , we will contact you.
  2. I've hung the washing out to dry on the balcony. (it / rain)
    __________ , can you bring the washing in, please?
  3. I think everything will be OK. (there / be / any problems)
    __________ , I'm sure we'll be able to solve them.
  4. I don't want anyone to know where I'm going. (anyone / ask)
    __________ , just say that you don't know.
  5. Should __________ , I'm sure we'll be able to solve them.
  6. __________ , just say that you don't know.

34.5 (Section F) Complete the sentences using I should + the following:

  • get
  • keep
  • phone
  • wait
  1. 'Shall I leave now?'  'No, a bit.'
  2. 'Shall I throw these things away?'  'No, __________ them. You may need them.'
  3. 'Shall I go and see Paul?'  'Yes, but __________ him first.'
  4. 'Is it worth getting this TV repaired?'  'No, __________ a new one.'

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