shouldn't
Americancontraction
Usage
See contraction, ought 1.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My only criticism of Arsenal at the moment is that Viktor Gyokeres shouldn't be taking their penalties - Bukayo Saka should, because he is in my Fantasy team.
From BBC
“The VA should have utilized the West L.A. property as it was intended to house veterans. There shouldn’t have been a situation where veterans returning from war didn’t have access to the housing and services that they need.”
From Los Angeles Times
Our family’s house wasn’t big enough to fit six people comfortably, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when my mother said we couldn’t keep our dogs.
But maybe we shouldn’t overdo it.
From MarketWatch
“Their philosophy was: If it’s unsafe for kids, then you shouldn’t legalize it. And of course, that’s a stupid standard,” Stroup said.
From Slate
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
