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Nugso Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Using should instead of have to?
Hi everyone. Can we use should instead of "have to" in the following situtation?
Imagine, every student has to hand in their homeworks at 7 pm. And the teacher says " Every student should hand in their homeworks at 7 pm." I know, has to or must is the appropriate word, but is it possible? I've looked up should's meanings in the dictionary, but couldn't find something that supports my 'idea'.
Thanks.
Imagine, every student has to hand in their homeworks at 7 pm. And the teacher says " Every student should hand in their homeworks at 7 pm." I know, has to or must is the appropriate word, but is it possible? I've looked up should's meanings in the dictionary, but couldn't find something that supports my 'idea'.
Thanks.
Top answer
Nugso magine, every student has to hand in their homeworks at 7 pm. " Yes, that is common. The students know that when the teacher says 'should' it is a command.
- Nugso magine, every student has to hand in their homeworks at 7 pm.
- " Yes, that is common.
- The students know that when the teacher says 'should' it is a command.
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9 Answers
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Nugsomagine, every student has to hand in their homeworks at 7 pm. And the teacher says " Every student should hand in their homeworks at 7 pm."Yes, that is common. The students know that when the teacher says 'should' it is a command.
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Every student has to hand in their homework (singular) at 7 pm.
Every student should hand in their homework (singular) at 7 pm.
When your teacher, mother or father say "should," they really mean "must" or "have to," but they are saying it less emphatically. They might reserve the stronger words for very serious things or behavior problems.
If a student hand
Every student should hand in their homework (singular) at 7 pm.
When your teacher, mother or father say "should," they really mean "must" or "have to," but they are saying it less emphatically. They might reserve the stronger words for very serious things or behavior problems.
If a student hand
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Oops. I've forgotten that homework is an uncountable noun. Thanks, AlpheccaStars! Oh, also, incidentally, is it also OK to use should instead of has to/must when writing rules( in more formal situation that is). For example, all passengers should exit at the next stop. Can should in the previous sentence mean must?
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A bit off-topic but tangentially relevant. A personal experience.
I once took a harmony course in which most of the rules in the textbook were phrased with "should".
You should avoid parallel fifths.
You should resolve leading tones.
You should not double chromatic tones.
We students wrote our assignments and produced music that occasionally
I once took a harmony course in which most of the rules in the textbook were phrased with "should".
You should avoid parallel fifths.
You should resolve leading tones.
You should not double chromatic tones.
We students wrote our assignments and produced music that occasionally
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Lol, CalfiJim. So basically, It can be used, but I'd better not. Thanks for the andectote by the way! 00
Nugso Lol, CalfiJim. So basically, It can be used, but I'd better not. Thanks for the andectote by the way!I'd avoid the problem by saying that homework is due by 7 pm.
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Nugso For example, all passengers should exit at the next stop. Can should in the previous sentence mean must?No. In this case, it is only a suggestion.
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