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EF 8A: „Should“ in English Grammar

The modal verb „should“ is used to express advice, recommendations, obligations, probability, or expectations. Here’s a detailed overview of its uses and structure:

[Modální sloveso „should“ se používá k vyjádření rady, doporučení, povinnosti, pravděpodobnosti nebo očekávání. Zde je podrobný přehled jeho použití a struktury:]


1. „Should“ for Advice or Recommendations

„Should“ is commonly used to give advice or suggest what someone ought to do.

  • Structure:
    • Subject + should + base verb
  • Examples:
    • You should eat more vegetables. [Měl bys jíst více zeleniny.]
    • She should see a doctor. [Měla by navštívit lékaře.]
    • They should take a break. [Měli by si dát přestávku.]

2. „Should“ for Obligation or Duty

„Should“ can express a sense of obligation, though it’s less strong than „must.“

  • Examples:
    • Students should submit their assignments on time. [Studenti by měli odevzdat úkoly včas.]
    • You should respect your elders. [Měl bys respektovat starší.]

3. „Should“ for Probability or Expectation

„Should“ can indicate what is likely to happen or what we expect to happen.

  • Examples:
    • The train should arrive soon. [Vlak by měl brzy dorazit.]
    • He should be at work by now. [Už by měl být v práci.]

4. „Should“ for Conditional Sentences

In conditional sentences, „should“ can be used to express a hypothetical situation or a polite form.

  • Examples:
    • If you should see her, please tell her to call me. [Kdybys ji náhodou viděl, řekni jí prosím, aby mi zavolala.]
    • Should you need help, let me know. [Pokud budeš potřebovat pomoc, dej mi vědět.]

5. Negative Form: „Shouldn’t“

The negative form „shouldn’t“ is used to express advice against doing something or to point out that something is wrong or inappropriate.

  • Structure:
    • Subject + shouldn’t + base verb
  • Examples:
    • You shouldn’t eat so much junk food. [Neměl bys jíst tolik nezdravého jídla.]
    • She shouldn’t speak to her boss that way. [Neměla by tak mluvit se svým šéfem.]

6. „Should Have“ for Past Advice or Regret

The phrase „should have“ is used to talk about things that didn’t happen in the past but were advisable or expected.

  • Structure:
    • Subject + should have + past participle
  • Examples:
    • You should have studied harder for the exam. [Měl ses víc učit na zkoušku.]
    • They should have called us earlier. [Měli nám zavolat dříve.]
    • I shouldn’t have eaten so much cake. [Neměl jsem jíst tolik dortu.]

7. Questions with „Should“

You can use „should“ in questions to ask for advice, suggestions, or opinions.

  • Examples:
    • What should I wear to the party? [Co bych si měl vzít na večírek?]
    • Should we wait for them? [Máme na ně počkat?]
    • Where should we go for lunch? [Kam bychom měli jít na oběd?]

Summary Table

UseExampleTranslation
Advice or RecommendationYou should take an umbrella.Měl by sis vzít deštník.
Obligation or DutyWe should follow the rules.Měli bychom dodržovat pravidla.
Probability or ExpectationIt should be sunny tomorrow.Zítra by mělo být slunečno.
Conditional SentencesIf you should need anything, call me.Pokud bys něco potřeboval, zavolej mi.
Negative Form (Shouldn’t)You shouldn’t stay up so late.Neměl bys zůstávat vzhůru tak dlouho.
Past Advice or RegretI should have studied more.Měl jsem se víc učit.

Practice Sentences:

  1. You ______ (should/shouldn’t) drink more water.
  2. They ______ (should/shouldn’t) have arrived by now.
  3. What ______ (should) we do next?
  4. You ______ (should/shouldn’t) park here; it’s not allowed.