More About Should

We can use 'should' after 'reporting verbs' such as

*demand *insist *propose *recommend *suggest

· He demanded that we should pay for the repair.
· She insisted that she should pay for the meal.
· I have proposed that he should take charge of the organization.
· The committee recommends that Jane should be appointed.
· We have suggested that Michael should be given a reward for his hard work.
· However, it is also possible to say exactly the same thing by omitting the 'should' and just using the infinitive form without 'to' . Some people call this the 'subjunctive' form.
· He demanded that we pay for the repair.
· She insisted that she pay for the meal.
· I have proposed that he take charge of the organization.
· The committee recommends that Jane be appointed.
· We have suggested that Michael be given a reward for his hard work.

We can use 'should' after various adjectives. Typical examples are :

*funny *interesting *natural *odd *strange *surprised *surprising *typical

· It's funny that you should say that. I was thinking exactly the same thing.
· It's interesting that they should offer him the job. Not an obvious choice.
· It's natural that you should be anxious. Nobody likes speaking in public.
· Isn't it odd that he should be going to the same tiny hotel? What a coincidence.
· It's strange that you should think so. Nobody else does.

We can use 'should' in 'if clauses' when we believe that the possibility of something happening is small.

· If you should happen to see him before I do, can you tell him that I want to speak to him urgently?
· If there should be a problem, just give me a call and I'll sort it out.
· If anyone should ask where I am, say I'm in a meeting.
We use 'should' in various fixed expressions.

To show strong agreement

To express pleasure when you receive a gift

To emphasize a visible emotion

· You should have seen the look on her face when she found out that she had got the promotion.