USE OF SHALL & SHOULD

USE OF SHALL & SHOULD

Shall is used in the first person to express pure future.

·                     I shall be twenty-five next birthday.

·                     When shall we see you again.

·                     You will see that i am right.

Shall is sometimes used in the second and third person to express a command,a promise, or threat; as,

·                     He shall not enter my house again. ( Command)

·                     You shall have a birthday tomorrow. ( Promise)

·                     You shall be punished for this. (Threat)

Question with 'Shall I' are used to ask the will of person addressed;

·                     Shall I open the door? ( i.e Do you want me to open it? )

·                     Which pen shall I buy? ( i.e What is your advice? )

·                     Where shall we go? ( i.e What is your suggestion? )

'Shall' is fairly rare in modern English, particularly in American English.

We can use it to make offers and suggestions and to ask for advice.

·         Shall I open the window?

·         Shall we start the meeting?

·         What time shall we start?

·         What dress shall I wear?

In older grammar, 'shall' was used as an alternative to 'will' with 'I' and 'we'. Today, 'will' is normally used.

When we do use 'shall', it has an idea of a more personal, subjective future.

·         I shall go to see the boss and I shall ask him to explain this decision.

The negative of 'shall' can be 'shall not' or 'shan't' – though the second one is now very rare in American English.

·         I don't like these people and I shall not go to their party.

·         I shan't object if you go without me.

Should are used as the past equivalent of shall;

·                     I expected that I should get a first class.

·                     She said she should carry my books.

Should is often used in all persons to express duty or obligation; as,

·                     We should obey the laws.

·                     You shold keep your promise.

·                     Children should obey their parents.

In clauses of condition, should is used to express a supposition that may not be true.

·                     If it should rain, they will not come.

·                     If he shold see me here, he will be annoyed. 

Should are used as in the examples beow.

·                     I should like you to help her.

·                     You should have been more careful.

·                     He should be in the library now.

We use 'should' for giving advice.

·         You should speak to him about it.

·         You should see a doctor.

·         You should ask a lawyer.

We use 'should' to give an opinion or a recommendation.

·         We should invest more in China.

·         They should do something about this terrible train service.

·         He should resign.

'Should' expresses a personal opinion and is much weaker and more personal than 'must' or 'have to'.

It is often introduced by ' I think'.

·         I think they should replace him.

·         I don't think they should keep the contract.

·         Do you think I should tell her?

REFERENCES

http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/shall/menu.php.