Join Discorddevrait
should
ought to
is supposed to (expressing obligation, recommendation or advice)
Elle devrait arrêter de fumer.
She should stop smoking.
should
is likely to
is expected to (expressing probability or expectation)
Il devrait arriver d'un instant à l'autre.
He should be arriving any moment now.
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Devrait is the conditional present, third-person singular form of the verb devoir (must, have to, owe).
USAGE
It expresses advice, recommendation, or a softened obligation :
"Il devrait partir." (He should leave),
"Elle devrait se reposer." (She should rest),
"On devrait essayer." (We should try).
It can also express probability or expectation:
"Il devrait arriver bientôt." (He should arrive soon)
TRAPS
Do not confuse devrait with:
"doit" (present: he must / has to) → stronger obligation
"devait" (imperfect: he had to / was supposed to)
"devra" (future: he will have to)
__Be careful:__
"il doit" (obligation)
"il devrait" (advice or likelihood)
Also, devrait can express uncertainty or assumption, not just advice.