Difference Between Should Be and Would Be (With Table)

The words ‘should be’ and ‘would be’ are modal verbs which auxiliary according to the English language. These words are used with any kind of infinite verb in order to convey, request or tell something to someone. Both these words have their own characteristics and meanings according to the English dictionary, which makes them different from each other.

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Should Be vs Would Be

The main difference between ‘Should be’ and ‘Would be’ is that the words ‘should be’ is the past tense of the word shall be, which is in the future tense, and on the other hand, the word ‘would be’ is the past tense of the word shall be which is in future tense when they have to be used in a sentence.

When a person wants to denote or state a particular duty or obligation to some other person regarding a specific thing at a specific time, saying that it is compulsory to be done, then that person uses the word ‘should be’ in their sentence to help them state the degree of how important it is.

When a person wants to denote or state a particular request or suggestion to some other person regarding a specific thing at a specific time, saying that doing something in that specified way may be better than that person uses the word ‘Would be’ in their sentence for a better sense of communication.

Comparison Table Between Should Be and Would Be

Parameters of Comparison

Should Be

Would Be

Function

‘Should be’ is used to denote an obligation and necessity in a sentence.

‘Would be’ is used to denote a request, suggestion, or a possibility in a sentence.

Past tense of

The word ‘Should be’ is the past tense of the word shall be, which is in the future tense.

The word ‘would be’ is the past tense of the word shall be, which is in the future tense.

Manner used for

The word ‘should be’ is used in a sentence compulsively.

The word ‘would be’ is usually used for sentences customarily.

Contingency

When ‘should be’ is used, the action is sure to happen.

When ‘Would be’ is used, the action may or may not happen in a sentence.

Degree of intensity

The degree of intensity is more when the word ‘should be’ is used.

The degree of intensity is less when the word ‘would be’ is used.

What is Should Be?

When a person wants to denote or state a particular duty or obligation to some other person regarding a specific thing at a specific time, saying that it is compulsory to be done, then that person uses the word ‘should be’ in their sentence to help them state the degree of how important it is.

This word is usually used in order to direct to do something which may be wrong or right. It is often used when it comes to judging the activities of people. It is used to tell which is the best choice out of something and to state if there is a chance of something happening or not.

Following are some examples where ‘Should be’ is used in a sentence-

  1. I should be going home now, or else I’ll get late.
  2. We should be at the party by evening 7 pm.
  3. This should be placed under that table.
  4. What should be played with vanilla ice cream?

What is Would Be?

When a person wants to denote or state a particular request or suggestion to some other person regarding a specific thing at a specific time, saying that doing something in that specified way may be better than that person uses the word ‘Would be’ in their sentence for a better sense of communication.

This word is used when someone wants to attend to do something in a particular way. It is used to talk about events that occurred in the past regarding actions of and reactions in a statement. Sometimes it also acts as an adjective in a sentence. It describes or aspires to something in a sentence for the future.

Following are some examples where ‘Would be’ is used in a sentence-

  1. I would be honored to attend the grand ceremony at the palace.
  2. We would be having fun if we had gone to the circus.
  3. That would be a good idea.
  4. She would be going to college tomorrow.

Main Differences Between Should Be and Would Be

  1. ‘Should be’ is the past tense of the word shall be which is in the future tense, and on the other hand, the word ‘would be’ is the past tense of the word shall be which is in the future tense.
  2. The word ‘would be’ is usually used for sentences in a customary manner, and on the other hand, the word ‘should be’ is used in a sentence in a compulsive manner.
  3. When ‘Would be’ is used, the action may or may not happen in a sentence, and on the other hand, when ‘should be’ is used, the action is sure to happen.
  4. The degree of intensity is less when the word ‘would be’ is used, and on the other hand, the degree of intensity is more when the word ‘should be’ is used.
  5. ‘Would be’ is used to denote a request, suggestion, or a possibility in a sentence, and on the other hand, ‘should be’ is used to denote an obligation and necessity in a sentence.

Conclusion

The words ‘should be’ and ‘would be’ are modal verbs which auxiliary according to the English language. ‘Would be’ is used to denote a request, suggestion, or a possibility in a sentence, and on the other hand, ‘should be’ is used to denote an obligation and necessity in a sentence.

The word ‘should be’ is the past tense of the word shall be, while the word ‘would be’ is the past tense of the word shall be. Both these words have their own characteristics and meanings according to the English dictionary, which makes them different from each other. Both these words shouldn’t be replaced with each other, for it could change the meaning of a sentence.

References

  1. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23218033
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3515766/

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