shouldn't

English

Etymology

should +‎ -n't

Pronunciation

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

• Audio (US)

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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?"

Derived terms

• shouldn't've

See also

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