Shall Be vs. Should Be

Attribute	Shall Be	Should Be
Requirement	Mandatory	Recommended
Legal Obligation	Binding	Not legally binding
Consequence of Non-Compliance	Potential legal action	No legal action
Level of Importance	High	Medium

Definition

Shall be and should be are two phrases commonly used in English language to indicate different levels of obligation or necessity. Shall be is often used to express a requirement or duty that is mandatory, while should be is used to suggest a recommendation or advice. Both phrases are modal verbs that help convey the speaker's intention or attitude towards a particular action or situation.

Usage

Shall be is typically used in formal or legal contexts where there is a clear obligation or requirement that must be followed. For example, in a contract or agreement, the phrase "the parties shall be responsible for payment" indicates a binding obligation on the parties involved. On the other hand, should be is more commonly used in everyday language to offer suggestions or advice. For instance, a teacher might say to a student, "You should be studying for your exam."

Level of Certainty

One key difference between shall be and should be is the level of certainty they convey. Shall be implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity, with a higher degree of certainty that the action will be carried out. In contrast, should be is more tentative and suggests a recommendation or possibility, without the same level of certainty that the action will actually occur.

Formality

Shall be is generally considered more formal and authoritative compared to should be. As mentioned earlier, shall be is often used in legal documents, contracts, or official statements where there is a need for clarity and precision in expressing obligations. Should be, on the other hand, is more informal and conversational, making it suitable for everyday communication and interactions.

Consequences

When using shall be, there is usually a consequence or penalty for not following the stated obligation. For example, if a company fails to comply with the terms of a contract that states "the payment shall be made by the due date," there may be legal repercussions. In contrast, should be does not typically imply such severe consequences and is more about offering guidance or advice without the same level of enforcement.

Subjectivity

Another aspect to consider when comparing shall be and should be is the subjective nature of the phrases. Shall be tends to be more objective and straightforward, indicating a clear requirement that is not open to interpretation. Should be, on the other hand, leaves room for personal judgment and discretion, allowing for flexibility in how the advice or recommendation is followed.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between shall be and should be:

• Shall be: "The project deliverables shall be submitted by the deadline."
• Should be: "You should be wearing a helmet while riding your bike."

Conclusion

In conclusion, shall be and should be are two modal verbs that serve different purposes in English language. Shall be is used to express a mandatory obligation or requirement with a higher level of certainty and formality, while should be is more about offering recommendations or advice in a less authoritative manner. Understanding the nuances of these phrases can help improve communication and clarity in various contexts.