Grammarkup
Modal Verbs

Shall - Should

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to ask permission, make requests and offers etc.

The modal verb shall is mostly used in formal speech and some legal documents. We use the modal verb shall and the base form of the verb to form sentences. Questions are formed by inverting the subject and shall. Negatives are formed with not.

Nowadays, the most common use of shall in everyday English is in questions that serve as offers or suggestions (Shall I? Shall we?).

Shall I order some pizza?
Shall we go now? It's getting late

We can use the modal verb should:

  • to give advice, a recommendation, or a suggestion.

I think you should study more

  • to express that situation is likely in the present or in the future (a prediction).

Kelly should be at home by now. You can stop by
I ordered some t-shirts 10 days ago. They should come in mail this week

  • to express an obligation (not as strong as must). It is used instead of must to make rules, orders or instructions sound more polite.

You should never lie to your parents

  • to say that something was expected in the past but didn't happen. (in this case, use should + have + past participle).

I should have studied more but I was too lazy

Guided Practice

Use shall to make offers or suggestions.
  • .................... we buy cupcakes or one big cake?
Use should to give advice, a recommendation, or a suggestion.
  • She .................... wear black. This colour doesn't suit her.

Use should to express that a situation is likely in the present or in the future.

  • It's really windy today. It .................... rain tomorrow
Use should to express an obligation.
  • You .................... listen to the teacher`s intructions in class.

Use should to say that something was expected in the past but didn't happen.

  • Barry .................... have stopped Alison from buying another car.

Short Story using Modal Verbs Shall - Should

–Shall we go to this new bar?

–Yeah, that doesn't sound too bad.

–Some band should perform there tonight.

–Oh, sounds interesting. Shall we go now? I think it might get a bit crowded on a Friday night.

–Yeah, we should go now. I don't want to be somewhere in the back the whole night.

–Shall I get a taxi?

–No, it's fine. It's just a 15 minute walk from us.

Independent Practice

Fill in the gaps with shall or should.

  1. We .................... go now or we'll miss our train.
  2. .................... I give him a call? He seemed nice.
  3. You .................... pay more attention to your health.
  4. No one .................... disrespect another person's opinion.

Match the sentences.

a. Shall I call in sick?1. I'm not feeling well.
b. You should go to the doctor.2. The weather is amazing.
c. Shall we go to the park?3. It might be something serious.

Answer the questions.

  1. What should we do in case of fire?

  2. What shouldn't people do when they are having an argument?

  3. What should people do to become happy?

Must - May - Might

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to ask permission, make requests and offers etc.

Will - Would

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to ask permission, make requests and offers etc.