Reporting verbs, adjectives, etc …
1/ Should after reporting verbs:
demand, insist, propose, recommand, suggest, … + should
They demanded that we should pay for the bill before the end of the month.
They demanded that we should pay on time.
He insisted that you should give back the car, or you will have troubles.
They have proposed that we should visit the castle.
They recommend that I should stop this!
I recommand you that you should eat in this restaurant, it’s the best one in town.
What do you suggest I should do?
But you can omit « should » in theses structures, with the base form verb:
(infinitive without « to » makes the subjonctive form)
They demand that we pay before the end of the month.
They demand that we pay on time.
He insisted that you give back the car, or you will have troubles.
They have proposed that we visit the castle.
They recommend me that I stop this!
I recommand you that you eat in this restaurant, it’s the best one in town.
What do you suggest I do?
2/ Should + adjectives:
funny, interesting, natural, odd, strange, surprised, surprising, typical
It’s natural that you should have stress. The exams are in two weeks!
It’s strange that they should choose him! He doesn’t speak english!
3/ Should + « if » sentences: with should, we express a small possibility.
If the clause of the contract should change, we will tell you.
If you should have any problem, call me and I’ll come.
4/ Expressions with « should »: When we want to:
confirm an agreement: Do you think that it’s a good idea? I should think so.
show your pleasure: Thanks for the present, but you shouldn’t have, you know?
emphasize an emotion: You should have seen him when he saw his broken car!