SHOULD IN THAT-CLAUSE
1). We can sometimes report advice, orders, requests, suggestions, etc. about things that need to be done or are desirable using a that-clause with should + bare infinitive.
Example:
- They have proposed that Jim should move to their London office.
- Alice thinks that we should avoid driving through the center of town.
- I suggested that Mr. Clark should begin to look for an0other job.
- It has been agreed that the company should not raise its prices.
NOTE: After should we often use be + past participle or be + adjective.
Example:
- They directed that the building should be pulled down.
- The report recommends that the land should not be sold.
- We urged that the students should be told immediately.
- We insist that the money should be available to all students in financial difficulties.
2). In formal contexts, particularly in written English, we can often leave out should but keep the infinitive. An infinitive used in this way is sometimes called the subjunctive.
Example:
- They directed that the building be pulled down.
- We insist that the money be available to all students in financial difficulties.
- It was agreed that the company not raise its prices.
NOTE: In less formal contexts we can use ordinary tenses instead of the subjunctive.
Compare:
- They recommended that he should give up writing.
- They recommended that he give up writing. (more formal)
- They recommended that he gives up writing. (less formal)
3). Other verbs that are used in a reporting clause before a that-clause with should or the subjunctive include advice, ask, beg, command, demand, instruct, intend, order, request, require, stipulate, warn. Notice that we can also use that-clause with should after reporting clause with nouns related to these verbs.
Example:
- The police gave an order that all weapons (should) be handed in immediately.
- The weather forecast gave a warning that people (should) be prepared for heavy snow.
4). We can use should in a that-clause when we talk about our own reaction to something we are reporting, particularly after be + adjective. (e.g. amazed, anxious, concerned, disappointed, surprised, upset).
Example:
- I am concerned that she should think I stole the money. or
- I am concerned that she thinks I stole the money. (not…that she think I stole…)
NOTE: When we leave out should in sentences like this we use an ordinary tense, not an infinitive. There is actually very little difference in meaning between sentences like this with and without should. We leave out should in less formal contexts.
5). We can also use should or sometimes the subjunctive in a that-clause after it + be + adjective such as crucial, essential, imperative, important, (in)appropriate, (un)necessary, vital.
Example:
- It is inappropriate they (should) be given the award again. (or…they are given…)
- It is important that she (should) understand what her decision means. (or…she understand…)
