"Should" vs. "Have to" and "Must"
Should is often used incorrectly to describe a situation where some action is required. For example:
Other examples of "should" used appropriately in a sentence include:
If you mean that doing or not doing something is a requirement, usually with a much more severe consequence for failure, then "must" or "have to" is the correct grammar. For example, the first sentence above should read:
Be careful of confusing the "it would be good" meaning of "should" with the "it is required" meaning of "have to" or "must". When used correctly, they are two similar but very different ideas that can enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
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Should is often used incorrectly to describe a situation where some action is required. For example:
- Tomorrow I should go to the ward office and pay my taxes.
Other examples of "should" used appropriately in a sentence include:
- You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
- I should go to work early today because I will probably have a lot of emails to sort through..
- Tom knew that he shouldn't eat any more cake, but he did anyway.
If you mean that doing or not doing something is a requirement, usually with a much more severe consequence for failure, then "must" or "have to" is the correct grammar. For example, the first sentence above should read:
- Tomorrow I have to go to the ward office and pay my taxes.
- Tomorrow I must go to the ward office and pay my taxes.
- We must go through airport security before we can board the airplane.
- You must arrive at the office by 6:45am to unlock the front door.
- Before we send the proposal to the client, we have to send it to the compliance office for them to approve.
Be careful of confusing the "it would be good" meaning of "should" with the "it is required" meaning of "have to" or "must". When used correctly, they are two similar but very different ideas that can enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
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