～はずだ
In this lesson we will learn about the grammatical pattern ～はずだ, which translates into English as “should” as in “ought to be the case.”
～はずだ
The pattern ～はずだ indicates what the speaker believes ought to be the case, with this supposition based on the speaker’s personal judgment/assessment. This pattern combines with all predicate types as follows:
| Nouns | 本気｛の・である｝はず |
| 形容詞 | いいはず |
| 形容動詞 | 簡単なはず |
| Verbs | 着くはず |
The word はず derives from a noun which literally means “nock (of an arrow),” and it is through grammaticalization that it inherited the meaning of “should/bound/must (be).” As such, we ought to expect either a 連体形 or the particle の to serve as the modifying phrase before it.
1. 田中さんという男は顔見知りのはずだ。
That Mr. Tanaka is supposed to be an acquaintance.
2. 彼女は3時に着くはずだった。
She was supposed to arrive at three.
3. ヨーグルトは腸にいいはずですよ。
Yogurt is supposed to be good for your intestines.
4. 「あのレストランはいつも込んでますね」「ええ、でも、お昼前に行けば｛込んでいない・人が少ない・空いている｝はずですよ。
“That restaurant is always crowded.” “Yes, but if you go before noun, it shouldn’t be crowded.”
5. 「井上さんは来るでしょうか」「ええ、さっき出かけると電話がありましたから、そろそろ｛来る・着く｝はずです」
“Is Inoue coming?” “Yes, I got a call a while ago when we left, and (he/she) should be (coming/getting) here soon.”
6. いつもならもっといいはずなのに・・・
It ought to be better if (things) were how (they) usually are…
7. ここが宝のありかのはずだ。
This is the whereabouts the treasure is supposed to be.
8. もう8時までに宿題をやったはずだよ。
You’re supposed to have already finished your homework by 8 o’clock.
9. 手紙はもう届いているはずだ。
The letter is supposed to have already arrived.
10. 嘘をついたはずがありません。
(He) couldn’t have told a lie.
11. 生きているということは、体温は35度から36度の間で一定しているはずです.
By living, your body temperature should be stabilized between 35 to 36 degrees.