Should vs. May — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
"Should" suggests a recommendation or obligation, while "may" indicates permission or possibility.
Difference Between Should and May
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Should" is used to indicate a recommendation, advice, or moral obligation. When someone says you "should" do something, it implies that it is the best course of action or the correct thing to do, though not mandatory. "May," on the other hand, is used to grant permission or express a possibility. When you are told you "may" do something, it means you have the option or allowance to do it, but it's not a necessity.
In legal and formal contexts, "should" often implies an expectation or recommendation, while "may" conveys allowed or possible actions within the boundaries of rules or guidelines. For example, "Participants should follow the guidelines" suggests an expected behavior, whereas "Participants may submit questions" indicates an allowed action.
While "should" often carries a moral or ethical connotation, implying what is considered right or beneficial, "may" is more neutral, focusing on the possibility or permission without an inherent value judgment.
"Should" can sometimes be used to express a conditional outcome or expectation, such as "If it rains, we should cancel the picnic," indicating a likely or recommended action based on a condition. "May," in contrast, would suggest a potential but uncertain outcome, such as "It may rain tomorrow," highlighting the possibility without certainty.
Comparison Chart
General Meaning
Recommendation or obligation
Permission or possibility
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Connotation
Advisory, moral, or ethical
Neutral, permissive, or potential
Legal/Formal Context
Expected or recommended actions
Allowed or possible actions
Conditional Usage
Likely or recommended action based on conditions
Potential but uncertain outcome
Example Sentence
You should exercise regularly.
You may leave the meeting early.
Compare with Definitions
Should
Expresses a moral obligation or duty.
We should help those in need.
May
Suggests a polite request or offer.
May I borrow your pen?
Should
Used to give a polite command.
You should be quiet in the library.
May
Expresses uncertainty or doubt.
He may have forgotten about the meeting.
Should
Used to indicate a recommendation or advice.
You should see a doctor if you're feeling unwell.
May
May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the third of seven months to have a length of 31 days. May is a month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
Should
Suggests what is considered correct or beneficial.
You should recycle to help the environment.
May
Expressing possibility
That may be true
He may well win
Should
Indicates a likely outcome or expectation.
If you study hard, you should pass the exam.
May
Used to ask for or to give permission
May I ask a few questions?
You may confirm my identity with your Case Officer, if you wish
Should
(auxiliary) Ought to; indicating opinion, advice, or instruction, about what is required or desirable.
May
Expressing a wish or hope
May she rest in peace
Should
Used to issue an instruction (traditionally seen as carrying less force of authority than alternatives such as 'shall' or 'must').
You should never drink and drive.
The law is clear that you should always wear a seat belt.
The manual says that this switch should be in the 'off' position.
May
The fifth month of the year, in the northern hemisphere usually considered the last month of spring
The full system was deployed last May
The new model makes its showroom debut in May
Should
Used to give advice or opinion that an action is, or would have been, beneficial or desirable.
You should go and see that film. I think you'll enjoy it.
I should exercise more often, but I’m too lazy.
She should not have been so rude.
May
A hawthorn or its blossoms.
Should
(informal) With verbs such as 'see' or 'hear', usually in the second person, used to point out something remarkable in either a good or bad way.
You should see his new apartment. It's like a palace!
If you think her piano playing is bad, you should hear her sing!
May
The fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. See Table at calendar.
Should
In questions, asks what is correct, proper, desirable, etc.
What do you think? What should I do?
May
The springtime of life; youth.
Should
(auxiliary) Ought to; expressing expectation.
May
The celebration of May Day.
Should
Indicates that something is expected to have happened or to be the case now.
They should have finished by now; I'll call them to check.
My fruit trees should be in flower, but the cold spring has set them back.
May
To be strong; to have power (over).
Should
Will be likely to (become or do something); indicates a degree of possibility or probability that the stated thing will happen or be true in the future.
They should have it finished by Friday.
When you press this button, the pilot flame should ignite.
You should be warm enough with that coat.
May
To be able; can.
Should
Used to form a variant of the present subjunctive, expressing a state or action that is hypothetical, potential, mandated, etc.
If I should be late, go without me.
Should you need extra blankets, you will find them in the closet.
The man demanded that he should be allowed entry.
I'm surprised that he should say that.
May
To be able to go.
Should
(auxiliary) cap=1.
I told him that I should be busy tomorrow.
May
To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
You may smoke outside;
May I sit there?
Should
(auxiliary) An alternative to would with first person subjects.
May
Expressing a present possibility; possibly.
He may be lying;
Schrödinger's cat may or may not be in the box
Should
Used to express a conditional outcome.
If I had not been so tired, I should have laughed heartily.
May
Expressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).
May you win;
May the weather be sunny
Should
Used to impart a tentative, conjectural or polite nuance.
I should imagine that they have arrived by now.
I should think you would apologize.
May
Used in modesty, courtesy, or concession, or to soften a question or remark.
Should
Used to express what the speaker would do in another person's situation, as a means of giving a suggestion or recommendation.
It's disgraceful the way that they've treated you. I should write and complain.
May
To gather may, or flowers in general.
Should
To make a statement of what ought to be true, as opposed to reality. en
May
To celebrate May Day.
Should
Something that ought to be the case as opposed to already being the case.
May
The hawthorn bush or its blossoms.
Should
Used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); e. g.: they should have come last week; if I should go; I should think you could go.
May
(archaic) A maiden.
May
An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb,
How may a man, said he, with idle speech,Be won to spoil the castle of his health!
For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what he may do as just, and what he may do as possible.
For of all sad words of tongue or penThe saddest are these: "It might have been."
May
Liberty; permission; allowance.
Thou mayst be no longer steward.
May
Contingency or liability; possibility or probability.
Though what he learns he speaks, and may advanceSome general maxims, or be right by chance.
May
Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark.
How old may Phillis be, you ask.
May
Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like.
May
A maiden.
May
The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
May
The early part or springtime of life.
His May of youth, and bloom of lustihood.
May
The flowers of the hawthorn; - so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn.
The palm and may make country houses gay.
Plumes that mocked the may.
May
The merrymaking of May Day.
May
The month following April and preceding June
May
Thorny Eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern North America
May
Used to express permission.
You may go out to play after finishing your homework.
May
Indicates a possibility.
It may rain later today.
May
Used in formal contexts to denote allowed actions.
Employees may take an hour for lunch.
Common Curiosities
Can "should" indicate a duty?
Yes, "should" can indicate a moral or ethical duty.
Does "should" have a moral connotation?
Yes, "should" often carries a moral or ethical connotation.
What does "may" suggest?
"May" suggests permission or possibility.
Is "should" used in legal contexts?
Yes, "should" is used in legal contexts to suggest recommended actions.
Can "should" be used conditionally?
Yes, "should" can express a likely or recommended action based on conditions.
Is "should" used for polite commands?
Yes, "should" can be used to give polite commands.
Is "should" mandatory?
No, "should" is advisory and not mandatory.
What does "should" imply?
"Should" implies a recommendation, advice, or moral obligation.
Is "may" used for giving permission?
Yes, "may" is used to grant permission.
Can "may" be used to make polite requests?
Yes, "may" can be used to make polite requests or offers.
Can "may" indicate uncertainty?
Yes, "may" can indicate a possibility or uncertainty.
Can "should" suggest beneficial actions?
Yes, "should" often suggests what is considered correct or beneficial.
Does "may" suggest allowed actions in formal settings?
Yes, "may" is used to indicate allowed actions in formal or legal contexts.
Does "may" express potential outcomes?
Yes, "may" expresses potential but uncertain outcomes.
Does "may" have a neutral connotation?
Yes, "may" has a neutral connotation, focusing on permission or possibility.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
