You can use should after a number of verbs, especially:
suggest propose recommend insist demand
* They insisted that we should have dinner with them.
* I demanded that he should apologise.
* What do you suggest I should do?
In the same way, you can use should after suggestion/proposal/recommendation etc.
* What do you think of Jane's suggestion that I should buy a car? and also after 'it's important/vital/necessary/essential that ...'
* It's essential that you should be here on time.
You can also leave out should in all the sentences in Section Above:
* It's essential that you be here on time. (= that you should be here)
* I demanded that he apologise.
* What do you suggest I do?
This form (you be/he apologise etc.) is sometimes called the subjunctive.
You can also use normal present and past tenses:
* It's essential that you are here on time.
* I demanded that he apologised.
Be careful with suggest. You cannot use to ... ('to do/to buy' etc.) after suggest:
* What do you suggest we should do?
or What do you suggest we do? (but not 'What do you suggest us to do?')
* Jane suggested that I (should) buy a car.
or Jane suggested that I bought a car. (but not 'Jane suggested me to buy')
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 she should say such a thing.
If ... should...
You can say 'If something should happen...'. For example:
* If Tom should phone while I'm out, tell him I'll phone him back later.
'If Tom should phone' is similar to 'If Tom phones'. With should, the speaker feels that the possibility is smaller. Another example:
* I've left the washing outside. If it should rain, can you bring it in?
You can also put should at the beginning of these sentences (Should something happen ...):
* Should Tom phone, can you tell him I'll phone him back later?
You can use I should .../I shouldn't ... to give somebody advice. For example:
* 'Shall I leave now?' 'No, I should wait a bit longer.'
Here, 'I should wait'= 'I would wait if I were you, I advise you to wait'. Two more examples:
* It's very cold this morning. I should wear a coat when you go out.
* I shouldn't stay up too late. You'll be tired tomorrow.
EXERCISES
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 I should see a specialist.
2. 'You really must stay a little longer,' she said to me.
She insisted that ---.
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 you go away for a few days?'Jack said to me.
Jack suggested that ---.
34.2 Are these sentences right or wrong?
1. a Tom suggested that I should look for another job. RIGHT
b Tom suggested that I look for another job. ---
c Tom suggested that I looked for another job. ---
d Tom suggested me to look for another job. ---.
2. a Where do you suggest I go for my holiday? ---
b Where do you suggest me to go for my holiday? ---
c Where do you suggest I should go for my holiday? ---
34.3 Complete the sentences using should + one of these verbs:
ask be leave listen say worry
1. It's strange that she _should be_ late. She'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 Ron that he --- without saying goodbye to anybody?
5. I was surprised that he --- me for advice. What advice could I give him?
6. It's very important that everybody --- very carefully.
34.4 Complete these sentences using if ... should... .
1. (It's possible that you'll see Tom this evening.)
_If you should see Tom this evening_, can you ask him to phone me?
2. (It's possible that Ann will arrive before I get home.)
If ---, can you look after her until I come?
3. (Perhaps there will be some letters for me while I'm away.)
---, can you send them on to this address?
4. (I don't suppose you'll need help but you might.)
---, let me know.
Write sentences 3 and 4 again, this time beginning with should.
5. (3) ---, can you send them on to this address?
6. (4) ---.
34.5 (Section E) Complete the sentences using I should + one of these verbs:
buy keep phone wait
1. 'Shall I leave now?' 'No, _I should wait_ a bit longer.'
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. 'Do you think it's worth repairing this TV set?' 'No --- a new one.'
34.1
2 I should stay/I stay/I stayed a little longer.
3 they should visit/they visit/they visited the museum after lunch.
4 we should pay/we pay/we paid the rent by Friday.
5 I should go/I go/I went away for a few days.
34.2
1 b. right c. right d. wrong
2 a. right b. wrong c. right
34.3
2 should say
3 should worry
4 should leave
5 should ask
6 should listen
34.4
2 If Ann should arrive before I get home
3 If there should be some/any letters for me while I'm away
4 If you should need (any) help
5 Should there be some/any letters for me while I'm away
6 Should you need (any) help, let me know.
34.5
2 I should keep
3 I should phone
4 I should buy
