Should 2 | Unit 34 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 34 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 34 · Leçon de Grammaire

Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectives · If Should · I Should — Complete Guide Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectifs · If Should · I Should — Guide Complet

Master should after verbs like insist, suggest, recommend; the subjunctive; should after adjectives; if … should for remote conditions; and I should for indirect advice

Maîtrisez should après les verbes insist, suggest, recommend ; le subjonctif ; should après les adjectifs ; if … should pour les conditions improbables ; et I should pour les conseils indirects

B1+ – B2 5 Rules · 5 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 5 Règles · 5 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

In Unit 33 we saw should used for advice, opinions, and expectations. In this unit we look at five more advanced uses: should after verbs like insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose; the subjunctive (leaving out should); should after certain adjectives; the pattern if … should for unlikely conditions; and I should as a form of indirect advice.

Dans l'unité 33, nous avons vu should pour les conseils, opinions et attentes. Dans cette unité, nous étudions cinq usages plus avancés : should après les verbes insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose ; le subjonctif ; should après certains adjectifs ; la structure if … should pour les conditions improbables ; et I should comme conseil indirect.

Should After Insist, Demand, Recommend, Suggest, Propose

Should après insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose

We can use should after these verbs and after expressions with important / vital / necessary / essential that:

On peut utiliser should après ces verbes et après les expressions avec important / vital / necessary / essential that :

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.

It's essential that everyone should be here on time.

It's important that the report should be finished by Friday.

⚠️

Never use to … with suggest:Ne jamais utiliser to … avec suggest : ✓ What do you suggest we should do? ✓ What do you suggest we do? ✗ What do you suggest us to do? ✓ What do you suggest we should do? ✓ What do you suggest we do? ✗ What do you suggest us to do?

The Subjunctive — Leaving Out Should

Le subjonctif — Omettre should

In all the sentences in Rule A, you can leave out should. The verb then takes the subjunctive form — the same as the infinitive (without to). You can also use normal present/past forms.

Dans toutes les phrases de la règle A, vous pouvez omettre should. Le verbe prend alors la forme du subjonctif — identique à l'infinitif (sans to). Vous pouvez aussi utiliser les formes normales du présent/passé.

With should

Avec should

It's essential that everyone should be on time.

I insisted that he should apologise.

Subjunctive (no should)

Subjonctif (sans should)

It's essential that everyone be on time.

I insisted that he apologise.

Normal present/past

Présent/passé normal

It's essential that everyone is on time.

I insisted that he apologised.

📌

What is the subjunctive?Qu'est-ce que le subjonctif ? The subjunctive is the base form of the verb (infinitive without to): be, do, go, apologise. It is the same for all persons. ✓ It's essential that he be here. (NOT: is — though both are used in practice). The subjunctive is more common in formal/American English. Le subjonctif est la forme de base du verbe (infinitif sans to) : be, do, go, apologise. Il est identique pour toutes les personnes. ✓ It's essential that he be here. Le subjonctif est plus courant dans l'anglais formel/américain.

⚠️

Suggest + to … is WRONG:Suggest + to … est INCORRECT : ✓ I suggested that she should buy a car. ✓ I suggested that she buy a car. ✓ I suggested that she bought a car. ✗ I suggested her to buy a car. ✓ I suggested that she should buy a car. ✓ I suggested that she buy a car. ✗ I suggested her to buy a car.

Should After Adjectives — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

Should après les adjectifs — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

We can use should after certain adjectives, especially those expressing a reaction to something:

On peut utiliser should après certains adjectifs, notamment ceux qui expriment une réaction :

strange odd funny typical natural interesting surprised surprising

It's strange that he should be late. He's usually on time.

→ I find it strange that this is happening

→ je trouve ça étrange que cela se passe

I was surprised that he should say such a thing.

→ I didn't expect him to say that

→ je ne m'attendais pas à ce qu'il dise ça

It's natural that parents should worry about their children.

→ it makes sense / it's understandable

→ c'est compréhensible

It's funny that you should say that. I was thinking the same thing.

Isn't it typical of Joe that he should leave without saying goodbye?

If … Should — Remote Conditions

If … Should — Conditions improbables

We can use should in if-clauses to suggest that something is possible but unlikely. We can also invert the subject and should to begin the sentence (without if).

On peut utiliser should dans les propositions en if pour suggérer que quelque chose est possible mais peu probable. On peut aussi inverser le sujet et should pour commencer la phrase (sans if).

If + subject + should + base verb, …
If the situation should change, we will contact you.
Should + subject + base verb, … (inverted — no if)
Should the situation change, we will contact you.

We have no jobs at present, but if the situation should change, we will contact you.

→ = "If the situation changes …" but with should, the speaker feels the possibility is smaller / more remote

→ = « Si la situation change… » mais avec should, le locuteur pense que la possibilité est plus faible

Should the situation change, we will contact you. (= If the situation should change …)

If it should rain, bring the washing inside.

→ I don't expect rain, but just in case …

→ je ne m'attends pas à la pluie, mais au cas où…

Should anyone ask where I'm going, say you don't know.

💡

If changes vs if should change:If changes vs if should change : If the situation changes = neutral (it may or may not happen). If the situation should change = the speaker considers it less likely. Both are correct; should adds a sense of remoteness. If the situation changes = neutre. If the situation should change = le locuteur considère cela moins probable. Les deux sont corrects ; should ajoute une idée d'éloignement.

I Should … — Indirect Advice (= I Would If I Were You)

I Should … — Conseil indirect (= I Would If I Were You)

We can use I should … or I shouldn't … to give advice to someone else. Here, I should means I would … if I were you or I advise you to …

On peut utiliser I should … ou I shouldn't … pour donner un conseil à quelqu'un d'autre. Ici, I should signifie I would … if I were you (ce que je ferais à ta place) ou I advise you to …

'Shall I leave now?' 'No, I should wait a bit.' (= I advise you to wait)

'I'm going out now. Is it cold outside?' 'Yes, I should wear a coat.'

→ if I were you, I would wear a coat

→ si j'étais toi, je mettrais un manteau

I shouldn't stay up too late. You have to be up early tomorrow.

→ I advise you not to stay up late

→ je te déconseille de veiller tard

💡

Note:Note : In this use, the speaker says I should but is giving advice to the listener — not talking about themselves. Think of it as a polite, distanced way to say "if I were you, I would …" Dans cet usage, le locuteur dit I should mais donne un conseil à l'interlocuteur — il ne parle pas de lui-même. C'est une façon polie et distanciée de dire « si j'étais toi, je… »

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Complete using insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Rewrite each sentence using the verb given + that … should …

Réécrivez chaque phrase avec le verbe donné + that … should …

'It would be a good idea to eat more fruit,' the doctor said. (recommend) → The doctor recommended that I . 'Ce serait bien de manger plus de fruits.' (recommend) → The doctor recommended that I .

'You really must stay a little longer,' she said. (insist) → She insisted that I . 'Tu dois vraiment rester encore un peu.' (insist) → She insisted that I .

'Why don't you visit the museum after lunch?' I said. (suggest) → I suggested that they . 'Pourquoi ne pas visiter le musée après le déjeuner ?' (suggest) → I suggested that they .

'You must pay the rent by Friday,' the landlord said. (demand) → The landlord demanded that we . 'Vous devez payer le loyer avant vendredi.' (demand) → The landlord demanded that we .

'Let's go to the cinema,' Chris said. (suggest) → Chris suggested that we . 'Si on allait au cinéma,' dit Chris. (suggest) → Chris suggested that we .

Answers:Réponses :
1. should eat more fruit · 2. should stay a little longer · 3. should visit the museum after lunch · 4. should pay the rent by Friday · 5. should go to the cinema

EX 2

Exercise 2 — Correct or wrong? Fix the two incorrect sentences

Exercice 2 — Correct ou incorrect ? Corrigez les deux phrases incorrectes

Two of these sentences are not correct. Write OK or correct the sentence.

Deux de ces phrases sont incorrectes. Écrivez OK ou corrigez la phrase.

Tom suggested that I look for another job. → Tom suggested that I look for another job. →

I called Tina and suggested that we meet for coffee. → I called Tina and suggested that we meet for coffee. →

What do you suggest me to do? → What do you suggest me to do? →

What sort of car do you suggest I should buy? → What sort of car do you suggest I should buy? →

I suggest you to read this book. → I suggest you to read this book. →

I suggested that Anna learn to drive. → I suggested that Anna learn to drive. →

Answers:Réponses :
1. OK · 2. OK · 3. WRONG → What do you suggest I should do? (or: … I do?) · 4. OK · 5. WRONG → I suggest you should read this book. (or: … you read …) · 6. OK

EX 3

Exercise 3 — Complete using should + verb after adjectives

Exercice 3 — Complétez avec should + verbe après les adjectifs

Choose from: ask · be · be done · leave · say · vote · worry

Choisissez parmi : ask · be · be done · leave · say · vote · worry

Word box:Boîte de mots : ask · be · be done · leave · say · vote · worry

It's strange that he late. He's usually on time. It's strange that he late. He's usually on time.

It's funny that you that. I was thinking the same thing. It's funny that you that. I was thinking the same thing.

It's only natural that parents about their children. It's only natural that parents about their children.

Isn't it typical of Joe that he without saying goodbye to anybody? Isn't it typical of Joe that he without saying goodbye to anybody?

I was surprised that they me for advice. What advice could I give them? I was surprised that they me for advice. What advice could I give them?

This is a democratic election. It's important that you . C'est une élection démocratique. It's important that you .

The bridge needs repair. It's essential that the work as soon as possible. Le pont a besoin de réparations. It's essential that the work as soon as possible.

Answers:Réponses : 1. should be · 2. should say · 3. should worry · 4. should leave · 5. should ask · 6. should vote · 7. should be done

EX 4

Exercise 4 — If … should … and Should … (inverted)

Exercice 4 — If … should … et Should … (inversé)

Complete both the if … should version and the inverted Should … version.

Complétez la version avec if … should et la version inversée Should …

Choose from:Choisissez parmi : anyone ask · the situation change · it rain · there be any problems

Part 1 — If … should …

Partie 1 — If … should …

We have no jobs at present. If , we'll let you know. Nous n'avons pas d'emplois en ce moment. If , we'll let you know.

I've hung out the washing. If , can you bring it inside? J'ai mis le linge à sécher. If , can you bring it inside?

I think everything will be OK. If , I'm sure we'll solve them. Je pense que tout ira bien. If , I'm sure we'll solve them.

I don't want anyone to know where I'm going. If , say you don't know. Je ne veux pas qu'on sache où je vais. If , say you don't know.

Part 2 — Should … (inverted, without if)

Partie 2 — Should … (inversé, sans if)

, we'll let you know. , we'll let you know.

, can you bring the washing inside? , can you bring the washing inside?

, I'm sure we'll be able to solve them. , I'm sure we'll be able to solve them.

where I'm going, say you don't know. where I'm going, say you don't know.

Answers:Réponses :
1. the situation should change · 2. it should rain · 3. there should be any problems · 4. anyone should ask · 5. Should the situation change · 6. Should it rain · 7. Should there be any problems · 8. Should anyone ask

🎯

Exercise 5 — I should … (indirect advice)

Exercice 5 — I should … (conseil indirect)

Complete using I should + one of the verbs given.

Complétez avec I should + un des verbes donnés.

Verb box:Boîte de verbes : call · get · keep · wait

'Shall I leave now?' 'No, a bit.' 'Est-ce que je pars maintenant ?' 'Non, a bit.'

'Shall I throw these things away?' 'No, them. You may need them.' 'Je jette ces trucs ?' 'Non, them. You may need them.'

'Shall I go and see Paul?' 'Yes, but him first.' 'Je vais voir Paul ?' 'Oui, mais him first.'

'Is it worth getting this computer repaired?' 'No, a new one.' 'Ça vaut le coup de faire réparer cet ordinateur ?' 'Non, a new one.'

Answers:Réponses : 1. I should wait · 2. I should keep · 3. I should call · 4. I should get

Frequently Asked Questions — Should 2

Questions fréquentes — Should 2

Can I always leave out 'should' after insist/suggest/recommend?Peut-on toujours omettre 'should' après insist/suggest/recommend ?

Yes. After verbs like insist, demand, suggest, recommend, propose and after expressions like it's essential / important / necessary that, you can either use should + base verb, the subjunctive (base verb alone), or normal present/past forms. All three are correct: I insisted that he should apologise / he apologise / he apologised.

Oui. Après les verbes insist, demand, suggest, recommend, propose et après it's essential / important / necessary that, on peut utiliser should + base verb, le subjonctif (base verb seul), ou les formes normales. Les trois sont corrects.

Why can't I say "I suggested her to buy"?Pourquoi ne peut-on pas dire "I suggested her to buy" ?

Suggest cannot be followed by an object + to-infinitive in English. Use one of these instead: I suggested that she should buy / I suggested that she buy / I suggested that she bought / I suggested buying. Never: I suggested her to buy.

Suggest ne peut pas être suivi d'un objet + infinitif avec to. Utilisez plutôt : I suggested that she should buy / that she buy / that she bought / I suggested buying. Jamais : I suggested her to buy.

What is the difference between "if it rains" and "if it should rain"?Quelle est la différence entre "if it rains" et "if it should rain" ?

If it rains is neutral — it may or may not rain. If it should rain suggests the speaker considers rain less likely or more remote. The meaning is basically the same, but should adds a slightly more formal or cautious tone. You can also invert: Should it rain, bring the washing in.

If it rains est neutre. If it should rain suggère que le locuteur considère la pluie moins probable. Le sens est quasiment identique, mais should ajoute un ton légèrement plus formel ou prudent.

When I say "I should wait", am I talking about myself?Quand je dis "I should wait", est-ce que je parle de moi-même ?

Not in this use. When I should … is used to give advice, the speaker means if I were you, I would … or I advise you to …. So 'Shall I leave?' 'No, I should wait' = I advise you to wait. It's a polite, distanced way to give a recommendation.

Pas dans cet usage. Quand I should … est utilisé pour donner un conseil, le locuteur veut dire si j'étais toi, je… ou je te conseille de…. C'est une façon polie et indirecte de faire une recommandation.

Which adjectives can be followed by "should"?Quels adjectifs peuvent être suivis de "should" ?

The main ones are: strange, odd, funny, typical, natural, interesting, surprised, surprising. These all express a reaction or feeling about something. ✓ It's strange that he should be late. ✓ I was surprised that she should say that.

Les principaux sont : strange, odd, funny, typical, natural, interesting, surprised, surprising. Ils expriment tous une réaction ou un sentiment. ✓ It's strange that he should be late.

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Number of questionsNombre de questions

DifficultyDifficulté

ExplanationsExplications

All topics Insist / Suggest / Recommend Subjunctive Should + Adjectives If … Should I Should (advice) Mixed

Should 2 Quiz

Quiz — Should 2

20 questions

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out ofsur 20 questionsquestions

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Correct

Correctes

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Wrong

Incorrectes

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Skipped

Non répondues

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Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectives · If Should · I Should — Complete Guide Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectifs · If Should · I Should — Guide Complet

Should After Insist, Demand, Recommend, Suggest, Propose

Should après insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose

The Subjunctive — Leaving Out Should

Le subjonctif — Omettre should

Should After Adjectives — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

Should après les adjectifs — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

If … Should — Remote Conditions

If … Should — Conditions improbables

I Should … — Indirect Advice (= I Would If I Were You)

I Should … — Conseil indirect (= I Would If I Were You)

Should 2 — Exercises with AnswersShould 2 — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Complete using insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Exercise 2 — Correct or wrong? Fix the two incorrect sentences

Exercice 2 — Correct ou incorrect ? Corrigez les deux phrases incorrectes

Exercise 3 — Complete using should + verb after adjectives

Exercice 3 — Complétez avec should + verbe après les adjectifs

Exercise 4 — If … should … and Should … (inverted)

Exercice 4 — If … should … et Should … (inversé)

Exercise 5 — I should … (indirect advice)

Exercice 5 — I should … (conseil indirect)

Frequently Asked Questions — Should 2

Questions fréquentes — Should 2

Should 2 — Quiz

Should 2 — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Should 2 Quiz

Quiz — Should 2

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Evènements

Should 2Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectives · If Should · I Should — Complete Guide Should 2Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectifs · If Should · I Should — Guide Complet

Should After Insist, Demand, Recommend, Suggest, Propose

Should après insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose

The Subjunctive — Leaving Out Should

Le subjonctif — Omettre should

Should After Adjectives — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

Should après les adjectifs — Strange, Surprising, Natural …

If … Should — Remote Conditions

If … Should — Conditions improbables

I Should … — Indirect Advice (= I Would If I Were You)

I Should … — Conseil indirect (= I Would If I Were You)

Should 2 — Exercises with AnswersShould 2 — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Complete using insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Exercice 1 — Complétez avec insist / recommend / suggest / demand + should

Exercise 2 — Correct or wrong? Fix the two incorrect sentences

Exercice 2 — Correct ou incorrect ? Corrigez les deux phrases incorrectes

Exercise 3 — Complete using should + verb after adjectives

Exercice 3 — Complétez avec should + verbe après les adjectifs

Exercise 4 — If … should … and Should … (inverted)

Exercice 4 — If … should … et Should … (inversé)

Exercise 5 — I should … (indirect advice)

Exercice 5 — I should … (conseil indirect)

Frequently Asked Questions — Should 2

Questions fréquentes — Should 2

Should 2 — Quiz

Should 2 — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Should 2 Quiz

Quiz — Should 2

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Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectives · If Should · I Should — Complete Guide Should 2
Insist/Suggest/Recommend · Adjectifs · If Should · I Should — Guide Complet