should

modal verb (POSSIBILITY)

strong /ʃʊd/ weak /ʃəd/

Definition

› formal used when referring to a possible event in the future: If anyone should ask for me, I'll be in the manager's office. Should you (= if you) ever need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me.Possible and probable › used after 'that' and adjectives or nouns that show an opinion or feeling: It's odd that she should think I would want to see her again. It's so unfair that she should have died so young.Opinions, beliefs and points of view › used after 'that' to suggest that a situation possibly exists or might come into existence: We agree that the money should be paid tomorrow. › formal used after 'so that' and 'in order that' to show purpose: He took his umbrella so that he shouldn't get wet.Goals and purposes › formal used after 'for fear that', 'in case' and 'lest': He took his umbrella in case it should rain.

(Definition of should modal verb (POSSIBILITY) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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