Page 80 - English Grammar in Use

Unit
34 should 2

A You can use should after:
insist demand recommend suggest propose

I insisted that he should apologise.
Doctors recommend that everyone should eat plenty of fruit.
What do you suggest we should do?
Many people are demanding that something should be done about the problem.
also
It’s important/vital/necessary/essential that … should … :
It’s essential that everyone should be here on time.

B You can also leave out should in the sentences in section A. So you can say:
It’s essential that everyone be here on time. (= … that everyone should be here …)
I insisted that he apologise. (= … that he should apologise)
What do you suggest we do?
Many people are demanding that something be done about the problem.
This form (be/do/apologise etc.) is called the subjunctive. It is the same as the infinitive (without to).
You can also use normal present and past forms:
It’s essential that everyone is here on time.
I insisted that he apologised.

C We do not use to … with suggest. You can say:
What do you suggest we should do?
or What do you suggest we do? (but not What do you suggest us to do?)
Jane won the lottery.
I suggested that she should buy a car with the money she won.
or I suggested that she buy a car.
or I suggested that she bought a car. (but not I suggested her to buy)
You can also use -ing after suggest (What do you suggest doing?). See Unit 53.

D You can use should after some adjectives, especially:
strange odd funny typical natural interesting surprised surprising
It’s strange that he should be late. He’s usually on time.
I was surprised that he should say such a thing.

E You can say ‘if something should happen …’ . For example:
We have no jobs at present, but if the situation should change, we will contact you.
You can also begin with should (Should something happen …):
Should the situation change, we will contact you.
This means the same as ‘If the situation changes, …’ . With should, the speaker feels that the
possibility is smaller.

F You can use I should … / I shouldn’t … to give advice. For example:
‘Shall I leave now?’ ‘No, I should wait a bit.’ (= I advise you to wait)
Here, I should … = ‘I would … if I were you’, ‘I advise you to …’ . Two more examples:
‘I’m going out now. Is it cold outside?’ ‘Yes, I should wear a coat.’
I shouldn’t stay up too late. You have to be up early tomorrow.

68 should 1 ➜ Unit 33 American English ➜ Appendix 7