Shall vs. Should

Attribute	Shall	Should
Legal Requirement	Must be followed	Recommended but not mandatory
Formality	More formal	Less formal
Level of Importance	Higher level of importance	Lower level of importance
Usage	Used in legal documents and contracts	Used in guidelines and recommendations

Definition

Shall and should are both modal verbs in the English language. Shall is used to indicate a future action or to make a suggestion or offer. Should, on the other hand, is used to give advice, make recommendations, or talk about what is expected or correct.

Usage

Shall is often used in formal or legal contexts, such as contracts or laws, to indicate what is required or expected. For example, "The tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month." Should, on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday language to offer advice or express an opinion. For instance, "You should eat more vegetables for better health."

Formality

Shall is considered more formal than should. It is often used in official documents or when speaking in a professional setting. Should, on the other hand, is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal situations. For example, "Employees shall report any safety concerns to their supervisor" versus "You should try the new restaurant in town."

Expectation

When using shall, there is a sense of obligation or duty attached to the action. It implies that something is required or mandated. Should, however, carries a softer tone and suggests a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict requirement. For example, "Students shall complete their assignments on time" versus "Students should study for the exam."

Legal Implications

Shall is often used in legal documents to create binding obligations. It is used to specify what must be done in a clear and unambiguous manner. Should, on the other hand, is not as legally binding and is more of a suggestion or recommendation. For instance, "The defendant shall pay restitution to the victim" versus "The defendant should apologize for their actions."

Clarity

Using shall can sometimes lead to confusion or ambiguity, especially in everyday language. Should, on the other hand, is more straightforward and easier to understand. It is often used to provide clear guidance or advice without causing any misunderstandings. For example, "You should wear a helmet while riding a bike" is more easily understood than "You shall wear a helmet while riding a bike."

Common Usage

While shall is still used in formal contexts, its usage has declined in everyday language. Should, on the other hand, is widely used in both formal and informal settings. It is a versatile modal verb that can convey a variety of meanings depending on the context. For example, "I should call my mom" is a common phrase used to express a sense of duty or responsibility.