Should not be

[oxford2011]

I need to know that if somebody has done something wrong in the past. So can I say " he should not be doing this" I hope it made sense.

[bhaisahab]

I need to know that if somebody has done something wrong in the past. So can I say " he should not be doing this" I hope it made sense.

If it was in the past, say, "He should not have done..." If he is doing it now, "He should not be doing..." is correct.

[oxford2011]

Could you please tell me the difference between following
"he should not do this" and "he should be doing this" are they both same? I mean can I use both of them in present tense.

[oxford2011]

Sorry the sentences are "he should not do this" and "he should not be doing this"

[5jj]

"He should not be doing that" suggests that 'he' is is doing whatever 'this' is around or at the moment of speaking. "He should not do that' is not so limited; it can refer to more regular, repested actions.

However, the difference is not always clear-cut.

[oxford2011]

Please could you expand on your respose I need to know can I use both in present tense?

[bhaisahab]

Please could you expand on your respose I need to know can I use both in present tense?

"He should not do..." and "He should not be doing..." are both present tense. As fivejedjon said they can have a slightly different meaning, but the difference is not always very clear.

[Raymott]

Sorry the sentences are "he should not do this" and "he should not be doing this"

If somebody is stealing from a shop, now, you say, "He should not be doing this". Because he is doing it now.

If somebody steals from a shop every day, but is not doing it right now, you say, "He should not do this." You're saying he should not perform this habitual action. (You know we use the simple present tense for a habitual action.)

That is only an example. The usage is not as clear-cut as I've stated it - as 5jj said.

[oxford2011]

Thanks to everybody

[oxford2011]

can I use the following sentence in future tense "he should not be doing this"