Should is used to talk about what is right, advisable, or expected, or to give gentle suggestions. It can also describe something likely or logically expected.
“Should” comes from Old English “sceolde,” the past tense of “sceal,” which gave us “shall.” Originally it expressed obligation or necessity. Over time, English separated “shall” and “should,” with “should” becoming softer and more about advice or expectation.
Should is a kind of ‘soft must’—it suggests duty or logic, but without the full force of command. Many learners mix up would and should, but you can think of them as cousins: would = imagined choice, should = imagined best choice. The history with ‘shall’ explains why it still feels slightly formal in some uses.
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