COULD

We use should to talk about obligation, duty and similar ideas. It is less strong as must.

Some Examples:
1. Everybody should eat dinner.
2. You shouldn’t tell her bad stories.
3. Letters should be sent before October 30th.
- In this situation, should is more polite that saying “Applications must be sent…

4. Should I go and see a doctor, what do you think?
5. What should I do?
- Should is used to ask for advice and instructions, in questions. Like a less definite form of shall.

We can used should to say that we know something is probable. (because it is logical or normal in the circumstances.)

Some Examples:
1. She is out, but she should be back later.
2. Jan should get her soon.
3. We are taking a trip to Disneyland. That should be wonderful.

In the past indirect speech, should is used unchanged if should was used in direct speech.

Some Examples:
1. I thought “I should talk to Jane” – I knew that I should talk to Jane.
- In other cases, should + infinitive is not normally used to talk about the past. We can use for examples was/were supposed to…
2. I was going to be a long day. I was supposed to do all my homework and help in the household chores.
3. She was supposed to be present, but she wasn’t.

COULD

We use should to talk about obligation, duty and similar ideas. It is less strong as must.

We can used should to say that we know something is probable. (because it is logical or normal in the circumstances.)

In the past indirect speech, should is used unchanged if should was used in direct speech.

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