Shall vs Should
What’s the difference between them?
Shall
Meaning:
Shall is used to express an obligation or determination to do something. It often implies a promise or a threat.
Examples:
1. 'Shall we go to the park this afternoon?'
2. 'Shall I call a taxi for you?'
3. 'Shall I bring you a cup of tea?'
Should
Meaning:
Should is used to express a recommendation, obligation, or duty, or to give advice.
Examples:
1. You should call me when you get home.
2. I should have gone to the store earlier.
3. We should all work together to find a solution.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shall
1. Must
2. Should
3. Ought
4. Will
5. Supposed to
6. Have to
1. Mustn't
2. Won't
3. Refuse
4. Not allowed
5. Not necessary
Should
1. Ought to
2. Necessitate
3. Demand
4. Be necessary
5. Imperative
1. must not
2. need not
3 ought not to
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Shall", "Should".
1. Shall is used to express a sense of obligation or a requirement in legal contexts.
2. Should is used for the same purpose in other contexts.
3. A helpful mnemonic phrase for remembering the difference between shall and should is 'Shall for lawyers, should for others'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word, 'shall', be used?
Shall is used to express a strong recommendation or an obligation. It can also be used to express promises, threats, or intentions. Shall is mostly used in legal contexts.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word, 'should'?
Should is used to express a weaker recommendation than shall. It often implies that the speaker has less authority than when they use shall.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words are pronounced differently. Shall is typically pronounced /ʃæl/, while should is pronounced /ʃʊd/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using shall when they meant to use should, or vice versAnother mistake is using shall in contexts where the speaker does not have the authority to make a demand. Finally, some people may incorrectly pronounce the words, such as confusing shall and should.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. We ___ meet at the coffee shop at 4 pm tomorrow.
2. You ___ take an umbrella with you; it looks like it might rain.
3. ___ we go to the cinema or the museum today?
4. They ___ submit their applications by the end of this week.
5. I think you ___ reconsider your decision; it might not be the best option for you.
6. You ___ not disobey me! the king exclaimed.
1. shall
Explanation: The sentence describes a future plan or arrangement, which indicates the use of shall to express determination to do something.
2. should
Explanation: The sentence is giving advice about taking an umbrella due to possible rain. Hence, should is used to express a recommendation.
3. Shall
Explanation: This is a common usage of shall to form questions, especially when suggesting or making offers.
4. should
Explanation: The context here is indicating an obligation or duty, which makes should the appropriate choice.
5. should
Explanation: The sentence is giving advice, thus should is used to express a recommendation.
6. shall
Explanation: The sentence implies a command or threat from the king, making shall the appropriate word to use to express determination or obligation.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.