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)

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