What is ideal or desired We use should most commonly to talk about what is the ideal or best thing to do in a situation: There should be more public hospitals. They should reduce the price of petrol. It’s so expensive. There should be four more candles on the cake. We use should have +…
Need is used both as an ordinary verb and as an auxiliary verb. As an ordinary verb As an ordinary verb need is used in the sense of ‘require’. It has the usual forms needs and needed. Ordinary need is followed by an infinitive with to. One needs to be punctual. Everybody needs to be…
Ought is a modal auxiliary verb. There is no –s in the third person singular. She ought to understand. (NOT She oughts to …) Ought is different from other auxiliary verbs. It is used with to We ought to respect our parents. We ought to help the poor. Note that to is dropped in question…
Both must and have to can be used to express the conclusion that something is certain. Note that have to is more common in American English. He must be mad to do this. (OR He has to be mad to do this.) You must be joking. (You have got to be joking.) Conclusions about the…
Must is a modal auxiliary verb. It has no –s in the third person singular. He must go. (NOT He musts go…) Must is followed by an infinitive without to. I must get some rest. You must finish the report today itself. You must not tell this secret to anyone else. Little children must not…
Should have + past participle The structure should have + past participle can be used to talk about past events which did not happen. I should have sent the money this morning, but I forgot. This structure can also be used to talk about past events which may or may not have happened.
Should is a modal auxiliary verb. There is no –s in the third person singular. He should be here soon. (NOT He shoulds …) You should mend your ways. Should is followed by an infinitive without to. Questions and negatives are made without do. You should go now. Should I go now? No, you should…
Shall is a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by an infinitive without to. Shall has no –s in the third person singular. I shall be home soon. We shall invite them to dinner. I think I shall send him a wire. We shall be leaving for Delhi tomorrow. Questions and negatives are made without…
Would is a modal auxiliary verb. There is no -s in the third person singular. Would is followed by an infinitive without to. He said he would try his best to help me. I would like to know what my duty is. The doctor said he would visit the patient. Questions and negatives are made…
Will is a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by an infinitive without to. There is no –s in the third person singular. She will come. (NOT She wills come.) I will do it. Questions and negatives are made without do. Will you come with me? (NOT Do you will …) I will not let…