we should help vs we may help

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'We should help' implies a sense of obligation or duty to help, while 'We may help' suggests the possibility or permission to help. The choice between the two depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1962 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a sense of obligation or duty to help.

"we should help"

This phrase is used to indicate that it is the right or appropriate thing to do to provide assistance or support in a particular situation.

Examples:

In times of need, we should help each other.
If you see someone struggling, you should help them.
As a community, we should help those in need.

Show examples from the web [+]

Perhaps we should help this cardinal Wolichek in his search for answers.
That is why we should help the Mexican authorities in this difficult struggle.
The second approach involves remaining constantly aware that in normal times we should help the Chinese.
I support this report, which once again points out that we should help Moldova to recover economically, taking into account that about 40% of its economy is dependent on agriculture.
The role of Europe is to try to ensure that European industry can win a greater share both of its domestic European markets and of global markets; and we should help to enable, not to enfeeble, European industry in the strategies we pick.
Today, the most vital thing is that we should help to bring matters to a peaceful resolution, and that will be possible only if a distinction is drawn between the terrorists and what actually matters.
Yes, we should help a gorilla, but not Jane's poor friend Keith.
I believe, however, precisely because all our parties have links with Peru, that we should help and give warnings here.
Social and environmental clauses must be developed, and we should help countries develop environmental labelling so that they might be better paid for their products.
I think that we should help Serbia and we must not forget that this country recently came out of a war.
In light of that, we should help the people in Serbia and in Kosovo to overcome their differences from the point of view of European integration, as has already happened in other parts of Europe.
Both by means of technology and through cooperation, we should help Russia to establish exemption from visa requirements, but this must be done in such a way that the Schengen standards for the acceding countries can be maintained, in order to maintain internal security.
We should be self-sufficient in food, and we should help the developing countries to be self-sufficient in food.
We agree that it should facilitate job creation, in other words promote labour; we agree that we should help small and medium-sized enterprises, since these enable people to remain where they are, they help to reinforce families, and also to create jobs.
We should help look for her, I suppose.
We should help the ACP countries to develop sustainable production.
We should help Iraq build a peaceful society.
We should help incoming President Obama to close this appalling chapter in America's and Europe's history.
We should help to ensure that European employees get real protection from this risk.
We should help the poor... as best we can... either directly or through charities.

Alternatives:

we ought to help
we must help
we are obligated to help
we are expected to help
we are encouraged to help

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to suggest the possibility or permission to help.

"we may help"

This phrase is used to indicate that there is a choice or option to provide assistance or support, without implying a strong obligation or duty.

Examples:

If you have time, you may help with the project.
You may help yourself to some food from the buffet.
We may help out if needed.

Show examples from the web [+]

We only want to find the other Seraphim, so that we may help translate the sacred text you all wear.
Where we may help at European level is in giving more visibility to the issue.
I therefore hope that, between the three institutions, the Council, the Commission and Parliament, we may help in some measure in the pacification of Colombia.
Through continuing such relations, for example by inviting students from these countries onto programmes and projects such as Erasmus Mundus, I firmly believe that we may help to bring about better conditions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Are you implying that we may need help?
And we suspect that this May help to explain why older people are better than younger people at solving hotly-charged emotional conflicts and debates.
Despite any differences we may have, we shall vote in favour of the proposal, because we believe that liberalisation may help upgrade passenger rail transport.
May we help you, strange ones?
We may need Peter's help if this doesn't work.
And Colonel Al-Ghazi says we may be able to help one another.
We may be able to help.
We may be able to help the brain heal itself.
So we may be able to help each other.
We may be able to help you in ways you couldn't possibly imagine.
May we help you, in any way?
We have seen that the consistency of our standpoint and messages does work, and we hope that this may help in finding the appropriate remedies for such issues.
We voted in favour of the compromise resolution, not because we agree with all its points or wording, but because we believe that this may help to denounce the unacceptable situation of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.
But, if your husband wishes with his help we may find some solution
In this regard, Amendment No 10, duly modified, with certain important alterations in accordance with the solution we may find, could help us to find that compromise formula.
Jobbik would like to put an end to the economic monopoly of the multinationals and return Europe to the smallholders and family businesses, so that with their help we may eliminate unemployment within the European Community.

Alternatives:

we can help
we are able to help
we have the option to help
we are allowed to help
we are permitted to help

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we should help vs we may help

"we should help"

"we may help"

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