shouldn't

English

Etymology

should +‎ -n't

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈʃʊdn̩t/
• (Yorkshire) IPA^(key): [ˈʃʊnʔ]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Verb

shouldn't

1. Should not (negative auxiliary)

   Divorce shouldn't be discussed until it is inevitable.

Usage notes

Although shouldn't is derived from should not, the two are not grammatically interchangeable. While "Shouldn't I do it?" is grammatical, "Should not I do it?" is no longer acceptable. It would instead be "Should I not do it?"

Coordinate terms

• can't, couldn't, mayn't, mightn't, oughtn't, shan't, won't, wouldn't

Derived terms

• shouldn't've

Translations

Should not

• Maori: kia kaua ... e + verb

Noun

shouldn't (plural shouldn'ts)

1. (informal) Something that should not be done.
   • 2008, Working Mother, volume 31, number 8, page 20:

     Being a list-o-maniac, I suggested we make a list of the "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts." So in the darkness of hazy sleep, I began to mentally prepare mine. The first item on the "should" side was easy: a sibling for our 3-year-old daughter.

See also

• couldn't
• wouldn't
• oughtn't
• Appendix:English modal verbs
• Appendix:English tag questions