Key Difference: Sometimes, we got confused while using the words shall and should when speaking in the English language. To avoid these mistakes, we have to know the exact meanings of these words and how to use them in the correct context. The word “Shall” can be used when we talk about the future. Whereas, the word “Should” is the past form of the word Shall. Let’s see the explanation of these terms and understand their usage.
Shall: Shall we go for a ride?
Should: You should not go there alone.
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Shall:
Expressing an intention
The word “Shall” is a model verb that can be used with the subjects I and We. This word is used with the base form of the main verb in a sentence in English. Usually, it refers to the future tense. We generally say like “Shall we go for a walk“. The term “Shall we” is a polite expression for Let’s go. It is the present form of the verb. Let’s see an example sentence to make it clear. Shall we go to a movie?. From this statement, we might understand that someone asks to go to a movie.
How Do We Spell the Word Shall?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Shall is ʃal,ʃ(ə)l. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllables are phonological building blocks of words. It divides the words into parts that can help you read words more accurately. Let’s see how to split the word affect using syllables. Learning syllables can also help you to spell words correctly.
- The word “Shall” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “Shall” in sentences:
- Shall I make dinner for you?
- I shall be at your home tomorrow.
- Shall I continue the presentation?
- We shall see the movie tonight.
- Shall we do this work together?
Should:
Refers to the Duty or Obligation
The word “Should” (model verb) can be used when someone ought to do something or must do something. It is the past form of the word shall. You can use this word when you give advice to someone or talk about obligations. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. We should clean the house before my mom arrived. From this sentence, we might understand that they must clean the house as soon as possible.
How Do We Spell the Word Should?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Should is ʃʊd. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Should” by syllables.
- The word “Should” has only one syllable.
- It cannot be divided.
Using “Should” in sentences:
- Why should I tell this to you?
- Mom said you should not speak with him.
- I should wake up in the early morning.
- Everyone should stop eating junk foods that cause illness.
- I think you should not go to school today.
Compare: Shall Vs Should
This table will show you the contradiction between the words Shall and Should.
| Shall | Should | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to future action. | Used when we ought to do something or must do something |
| Synonym | Have to, must, need, ought to | Ought to, might, intended to do something |
| Antonym | must not | should not |
| Parts of Speech | Model verb | Model verb |
| Etymology | Old English sceal, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zal and German soll, from a base meaning ‘owe’. | Old English sceolde : past of shall. |
| Examples | Shall I make some lunch for you? We shall go to the park later. What shall we do after watching this movie? We shall do everything to solve the problem. The professor shall begin his talk at 10:30 AM. | You should apply for the job. Children should get sleep for at least 9 hours. There should be a way to get out of here. You should have told me about the meeting yesterday. I think we should wait until she comes. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Shall, Should), Merriam-Webster (Shall, Should), Collins Dictionary (Shall, Should), Dictionary.com (Shall, Should)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].