In English, there are many different helper words. These are words that themselves do not have a particular lexical meaning, but complement the meaning of the rest of the sentence in which they are used. The knowledge of these auxiliary words and their differences from each other is very important for an accurate understanding of the meaning of what has been said or read, as well as for a clearer presentation of your own thoughts.
The problem is that often English words for Russian-speaking people seem similar, which often causes confusion. For example, the question often arises: what is the meaning of the verbs shall and should and the difference between them? Let's take a look at the answer to this question.
Modal Verbs in English
In English speech modal verbs play an important role. However, sometimes it is difficult to understand their meaning, and even more so to translate into Russian. It is not surprising, because modal verbs have a rather specific purpose. The fact is that they do not denote any action on their own, but only express the speaker's attitude to this action, introduce an emotional or ethical coloring. Modal verbs in affirmative sentences are used before the main semantic verb, which, in turn, joins without the particle to.
The main modal verbs are:
- Can / could - I can, you can. I can swim.
- Must - must. You must do your homework! (You have to do your homework!)
- May / might - I can, you can, the value of probability. May I come in? (Can I come in?)
- Have to - must, have to (compulsion). I have to go to school (I have to go to school).
- Should - follows. You should apologize.
Sometimes people confuse the verbs should and may. The difference between the two is that it should primarily convey the meaning of coercion or burdensome duty, while may expresses the possibility, probability, uncertainty about the future or is used to formulate a polite request.
What is the difference between the shall and should verbs? The difference between them will be considered a little further.
- Shall - does not have a specific translation, means an order or a threat. He shall be punished! (He will still be punished!)
The verb shall - which means
The shall verb is very similar in sound to the should verb, moreover, in both cases there is a shade of coercion, which makes it confused when using shall and should. The difference between these verbs, however, does exist.
Still, what semantic connotation does the verb shall give to the statement?
As a rule, shall not have a specific translation into Russian, and its meaning is transmitted intonationally. So, as a modal verb, it is used in five basic meanings:
1. The promise.
- We shall go to the beach on the weekend.
- Over the weekend we will go to the beach (I promise).
2. Intention.
- I shall have finished this project by next month.
- I (am) about to finish this project by next month.
3. Threat or warning.
- She shall regret doing that!
- She will regret what she did.
4. Strict order.
- You shall go to bed!
- Go to bed!
5. Question on further actions, proposal.
- Shall we go home?
- Should we go home?
However, the shall verb is not only a modal verb, it can also be used as an auxiliary verb of the future tense. This situation, as well as the difference between shall and will, will be discussed a bit later.
The verb should - when used
Unlike the verb shall, should should have a more specific meaning. It conveys the meaning of a non-binding action, but which is worth doing. As a rule, it is translated by the word “should”.
- I should be at home by 10 pm
- I should be home by 10pm.
As a rule, the verb should be used when it comes to moral duty, recommendations or advice.
If the verb should be used in conjunction with the Perfect tense, the sentence takes on a tinge of regret.
- Sorry, I really should have written sooner.
- Sorry, I really should have written earlier.
What should be different from must?
Modal verbs generally convey very subtle nuances of meaning, so they are quite easy to confuse. So, the difference between should and must may not always be obvious.
In fact, the main difference is that these verbs express varying degrees of coercion. More precisely, different incentives or reasons to perform certain actions.
The verb must conveys the meaning of the action that someone must necessarily do according to his moral inner convictions or laws, rules that cannot be violated. In short, must expresses rigor, clarity, confidence.
- You must respect the law of our state.
- You must comply with the laws of our state.
The verb should, on the contrary, means optional, but the extreme desirability of doing something. Translated by the word "should." As a rule, this action should be performed due to some external circumstances or reasons, and not from an internal conviction.
- I should write an essay for the competition.
- I should write an essay for the competition.
How to make negative sentences with modal verbs
When making affirmative sentences, there are no special problems - the modal verb is simply inserted into the sentence before the semantic verb, without the particle to. But how to make negative sentences?
Negative sentences are composed by adding not to the modal verb.
- I can not swim.
- I can not swim.
In colloquial speech or when writing informal papers, it is possible to use a short form formed using the apostrophe.
How to make interrogative sentences with modal verbs
When compiling interrogative sentences, the general rule of English grammar is used - the modal verb acts as an auxiliary word.
When drawing up general questions, the modal verb is put in first place.
- Can you swim?
- You can swim?
- Yes, I can / No, I can't.
- Yes, I can / No, I can not.
When compiling special questions, the formula is used:
Specialist. word + modal verb + subject + semantic verb + additions?
- When shall we go home?
- When will we go home?
Rules for using the verb shall. Future
As stated earlier, shallow is not only a modal verb. Similarly, it can be used as an auxiliary in the preparation of proposals in the future tense. But everyone knows that in the times of Future, the auxiliary word will is used. Is there a difference: will and shall?
The shall verb is used with singular and plural first person pronouns. Simply put, with the words I and we.
In all other cases, will is used.
- I shall go to the university.
- I will go to university.
- BUT: She will go to the university.
- She will go to university.
It is worth noting that currently in English the difference between shall and will is almost erased. The fact is that over time, the verb shall is used less often and less in oral and written speech, and now it is almost excluded from the vocabulary of a modern English-speaking person. This applies to both the modal and the auxiliary verb. Of course, it is worth knowing the difference between shall and will, despite the fact that at present, shall can be found, rather, in fiction.
When is the future tense used
Obviously, in general, the future tense is used when we talk about something that should happen, or we hope or assume that it will happen. There are four different future tenses in English. Let's look into each.
Formula: will + verb
Used when we talk about assumptions or predictions, about inaccurate plans for the future.
I hope, the weather will be good tomorrow.
I hope the weather is good tomorrow.
Another meaning is the decision that was made at the time of the conversation, momentarily.
- I forget my purse at home.
- I will lend you some money.
“I forgot my wallet at home.”
“I'll lend you some money.”
Formula: will + to be + verb (-ing)
It is used when it comes to long-term action at a certain point in time.
I will be watching TV set at 6 pm tomorrow.
Tomorrow at 6 pm I will watch TV.
Important: Future Continious is never used with static verbs. Static verbs are verbs expressing feelings, conditions or actions that cannot have a duration (for example, start / end).
An action that ends at a specific point in the future.
Formula: will + have / has + verb in the third form
I will have done my homework by 3 am
I will finish doing my homework at 3 in the morning.
- Future Perfect Continious
An action that began before the time of the conversation and ends at a certain point in the future.
Formula: will + have / has been doing + verb (-ing)
I will have been doing my homework for 6 hours by 3 am
By three in the morning it will be already 6 o’clock as I do my homework.
Subjunctive mood
There is another group of words similar in sound: would, could and should. The difference between the two is in the sense.
The verbs would and could be used in the subjunctive mood when it comes to something impossible (constructions like "if ...").
- I would read more books if I had more leisure time.
- I would read more books if I had more free time.
In Russian, the verb could translate as "could."
- I could write this essay yesterday evening.
- I could write this essay last night
We hope this article helped you understand the main differences between the shall and should verbs, the difference between them, as well as other modal verbs.