Intermediate Grammar
Master English grammar one unit at a time. Clear notes, then 40+ interactive exercises with instant feedback — based on the topics in English Grammar in Use (Intermediate).
Should 2“should after verbs/adjectives · Should you … · if … should” — 44 interactive questions
📖 Grammar Reference — Should 2
Study the notes, then work through the six exercises.
A should after certain verbs
After verbs of advising, asking or demanding, we often use that … should + base verb:
💡 You can leave should out and use just the base verb: I suggested that she rest. Both are correct.
B should after certain adjectives
After it’s + adjective, we use that … should to react to something or call it surprising:
| strange / odd / funny | surprising | It’s odd that she should say that. |
| natural / typical | expected reaction | It’s natural that they should worry. |
| important / essential | necessary | It’s essential that everyone should come. |
💡 I was surprised that he should react like that. — should adds the idea of surprise or a strong reaction.
C If … should and Should you …
For something that is possible but not very likely, we can use if … should. You can drop if and start with Should:
💡 Should you … (no if) is a little more formal: Should you change your mind, let us know.
D I should / I shouldn’t = “if I were you”
In informal advice, I should / I shouldn’t can mean the same as I would / I wouldn’t — used with if I were you:
💡 Here I should is not about duty — it’s a soft way to say I would (if I were you).
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Original practice material inspired by the English Grammar in Use syllabus (Cambridge University Press). Example sentences and exercises are written by All English 4U.