English Grammar (Modal Verbs or Modal Auxiliaries): Lesson 5-SHALL and SHOULD (with examples!)

SHALL and SHOULD: When Do We Use Them?

This is the fifth lesson in the modal verbs or modal auxiliaries series.

Today, we are going to talk about SHALL and SHOULD.

REMEMBER:

There are 9 modal verbs in English: Must, Can, Could, May, Might, Will, Would, Shall and Should.
Modal verbs are tools that help us to express modality. In fact, modals allow the speaker to express his or her point of view regarding an action, an event or a situation.
Modal verbs always remain the same no matter the subject and cannot be conjugated. Moreover, they do not have present and past participles. (I am shall~~ing~~ go./ I ~~have~~ shoulded go.)

SHALL and SHOULD_Learn English With Africa

Step 1: Characteristics of SHALL

We use SHALL in the future tense. (E.g. I shall be faithful.)
A verb stem always follows SHALL. (E.g. He shall perform this Saturday.) The verb stem is also known as the base of a verb. You can find examples of verb stems in the dictionary.
We do not add ‘TO‘ after SHALL. (E.g. She shall to come.)
SHALL is able to replace auxiliary verbs such as DO and BE which help us to form questions. (E.g. When shall we go?)
In the future tense, SHALL can replace WILL in the first person singular and plural forms. (E.g. I shall, you will, he/she/it will, we shall, you will, they will.) This is mostly used in formal contexts.

Step 2: Examples of SHALL in the Affirmative Form (+)

Talking About the Future

Here, SHALL is used to talk about the future. We mostly use it in the first person singular and plural forms ( E.g. I shall, we shall). However, you can also find the other forms (E.g. you shall, he/she/it shall/, they shall).

I shall come in October.
We shall arrive on the 31st of January.
They shall succeed.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you talk about the future using SHALL.

Predicting the Future

We use the modal verb SHALL to foretell the future in a formal way.

They shall perish.
He shall become a doctor.
We shall develop as a nation.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you predict future actions or events using SHALL.

Declaring Your Intentions

SHALL can also be used to say what you are set out to do in a resolute and defiant way.

I shall do it no matter the cost.
We shall overcome.
I shall work hard.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you declare your intentions using SHALL.

Expressing Commands, Orders or Formal Obligations

We can also use SHALL to give instructions to someone.

You shall have meals at 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Students shall remain silent at all times in the library.
Books shall be returned without delay.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you give an order using SHALL.

Expressing Strong Possibility in the Future

SHALL +HAVE-EN/ED (Present Perfect) can be used in the Future Perfect tense. This is when we talk about a completed action in the future. In this case, SHALL expresses strong possibility.

I shall have arrived by then.
The train shall have left.
In June, I shall have studied English for five years.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you express strong possibility in the future using SHALL.

Making Solemn Promises

In this instance, we use SHALL to tell someone in a very serious and formal way that we are committed to do something.

I shall inform you of any changes to the contract.
We shall contact you as soon as we receive the news.
I shall marry you.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you make a solemn promise to someone using SHALL.

Step 3: Examples of SHALL in the Negative Form (-)

Talking About the Future

Here, SHALL + NOT is used to talk about what will not happen in the future. We use it in the first person singular and plural forms ( E.g. I shall, we shall).

I shall not come in October.
We shan’t arrive late.
They shall not stay with us.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you talk about what will not happen in the future using SHALL + NOT.

Predicting the Future

We use the modal verb SHALL to foretell what will not happen in the future in a formal way.

They shall not perish.
He shall not become a doctor.
We shan’t develop as a nation.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you predict what will not happen in the future using SHALL + NOT.

Declaring Intentions

SHALL + NOT can also be used to say what you are not set out to do in a resolute and defiant way.

I shall not do it no matter the cost.
We shan’t succeed, for sure.
I shall not sit for those exams.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you declare your intentions using SHALL + NOT.

Expressing Prohibition

We can also use SHALL to give instructions to someone regarding what he or she cannot do.

You shall not loiter near the headmaster’s office.
Students shall not arrive late at school.
Employees shall not use the internet for recreational purposes.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you give an order using SHALL + NOT.

Expressing Strong Impossibility in the Future

SHALL + NOT can be used in the Future Perfect tense. This is when we talk about a completed action in the future. In this case, SHALL expresses strong impossibility.

I shall not have arrived by then.
The train shall not have left.
In June, I shall not have finished my studies.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you express strong impossibility in the future using SHALL + NOT.

Refusing to Do Something in a Solemn Way

In this instance, we use SHALL + NOT to tell someone in a very serious and formal way that we do not want to do something.

I shall not marry you.
We shall not sign the contract.
I shall not see you.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you tell someone in a very solemn or formal way that you do not want to do something using SHALL + NOT.

Step 4: Examples of SHALL in the Interrogative Form(?)

Making Offers

We use SHALL to present something or a service to someone.

Shall I escort you?
Shall we lend you a hand?
Let’s have a cup of coffee, shall we?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject presents something or a service to someone using SHALL.

Making Suggestions

We can use SHALL to present an idea to someone so that he or she can consider acting upon it.

Madam, shall we use this way?
Shall I serve dinner now?
Shall we go to my favourite restaurant?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject suggests an idea to someone using SHALL.

Asking for Advice or Instructions

It is also possible to use SHALL to ask someone for guidance.

How shall we proceed?
What shall be the course of action?
How shall we go?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject asks for advice from someone using SHALL.

Asking for Information

Sometimes, we can use SHALL to ask for information from someone in a formal way.

When shall the ceremony take place?
Who shall come with you?
Where shall we settle?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject asks for information in a formal way using SHALL.

SHALL and SHOULD_Modal Verbs_Learn English With Africa

Step 5: Characteristics of SHOULD

We use SHOULD as the past tense of SHALL. (E.g. He told me that we should be careful.) Note that SHOULD is also used in the present when expressing modality (E.g We should be more careful now.)
We also use SHOULD in second conditionals. (E.g If I were you, I should call a policeman.) This past form of SHALL is also called the unreal past because it refers to an unreal or hypothetical situation. However, note that the action ‘call a policeman‘ will happen in the future.
A verb stem always follows SHOULD. (E.g. He should become a singer.) The verb stem is also known as the base of a verb. You can find examples of verb stems in the dictionary.)
We do not add ‘TO’ after SHOULD. (E.g. She should to try this.)
SHOULD is able to replace auxiliary verbs such as DO and BE which help us to form questions. (E.g. Where should she go?)

Step 6: Examples of SHOULD in the Affirmative Form (+)

Offering Advice or Giving a Strong Recommendation

This is the most common use of SHOULD. In fact, when we use SHOULD in this sense, we are trying to give someone guidance and we are taking full responsibility of this.

You should eat less junk food.
I think they should study more.
She should be more respectful.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject gives advice to someone using SHOULD.

Expressing Obligation and Necessity

This is when we use SHOULD to show that someone has to do something or behave in a certain way. We can replace SHOULD here with the semi-modal OUGHT TO.

Children should wash the dishes after every meal.
Visitors should be quiet at all times.
We should be more respectful towards our educators.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences to describe in which the subject expresses necessity or obligation using SHOULD.

Expressing Possibility in the Future in First Conditionals

In this instance, we use SHOULD to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations that are possible in the future.

If you should pass these exams, I will be very happy.
Should you succeed, we will celebrate together.
If he should come home, I’ll be waiting for him.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you express possibility in the future in First Conditionals using SHOULD.

Expressing Probability in the Future in Second Conditional Sentences

In this case, we use SHOULD to say that something is likely to happen in the future after the realisation of another action or event.

If they were rich, they should probably buy a house.
I should probably move to the city if I won the lottery.
If he won, she should congratulate him.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you express probability in the future in Second Conditionals using SHOULD.

Reported Speech

We use SHOULD to report what someone has said to someone else. We also talk of indirect speech.

He said he should come in October. (Direct Speech: I shall come in October.)
They insisted that we should write the article no matter the consequences. (Direct Speech: You shall write the article no matter the consequences.)
You mentioned that the state president should visit us today. (Direct Speech: The state president shall visit you today.)

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you report what someone has just said using SHOULD.

Step 7: Examples of SHOULD in the Negative Form (-)

Offering Advice

In this case, we use SHOULD + NOT to convince someone not do something or not to behave in a certain way.

You should not eat junk food.
I think they shouldn’t be so rude.
She should not be tyrannical.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences to describe in which the subject tries to convince someone not to do something or not behave in a certain way using SHOULD + NOT.

Expressing Prohibition

In , we use SHOULD + NOT to say that someone cannot do something.

Visitors shouldn’t leave their bicycles here.
Children shouldn’t watch TV all day long.
You shouldn’t talk to me like that.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences to describe in which the subject expresses prohibition using SHOULD + NOT.

Expressing Criticism

In this instance, we use SHOULD + NOT + (HAVE-EN/ED (Present Perfect)) to express disapproval towards someone or something.

You shouldn’t have done it.
He shouldn’t have called me.
Things shouldn’t be this way.

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you express criticism towards someone or a situation using SHOULD + NOT + (HAVE-EN/ED (Present Perfect).

Reported Speech

We use SHOULD + NOT to report what someone has said to someone in the negative form. We also talk of indirect speech.

He said he shouldn’t come in October. (Direct Speech: I shall not come in October.)
They insisted that we shouldn’t write the article no matter the consequences. (Direct Speech: You shall not write the article no matter the consequences.)
You mentioned that the state president shouldn’t visit us today. (Direct Speech: The state president shall not visit you today.)

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you report what someone has just said in the negative form using SHOULD + NOT.

Step 8: Examples of SHOULD in the Interrogative Form(?)

Making Requests About Obligation

We can use SHOULD to ask someone if we are obliged to do something.

Should I close the door behind me?
Sir, should we enter?
Should I call him?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject asks someone if he or she is obliged to do something.

Asking for Advice

In this case, we use SHOULD to ask for a recommendation about someone, something or a course of action.

What should I do?
Whom should I call?
Where should I go?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which the subject asks for advice using SHOULD.

Asking questions in Conditional Sentences

In this case, we use SHOULD to form WH- in hypothetical or unreal situations.

Who should be notified if you fall sick?
What should happen if he shows up?
How should we behave if the president visits our school?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you ask questions using SHOULD in an unreal situation.

Making Subtle Suggestions

SHOULD is a tactful yet disapproving way of presenting an idea to someone. It also calls upon personal responsibility.

Jane, shouldn’t you be going to bed now?
Shouldn’t we be listening to the teacher?
Excuse me, shouldn’t Charles be sitting down instead of jumping all over the place?

Your Turn: Make 3 sentences in which you suggest an idea to someone in a subtle, yet disapproving way, using SHOULD.

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