diff --git a/.rubocop_todo.yml b/.rubocop_todo.yml
index 87a7b8c8..6a0a282b 100644
--- a/.rubocop_todo.yml
+++ b/.rubocop_todo.yml
@@ -18,9 +18,6 @@ Style/FrozenStringLiteralComment:
 RSpec/BeforeAfterAll:
   Enabled: false
 
-RSpec/ExampleWording:
-  Enabled: false
-
 RSpec/ExampleLength:
   Enabled: false
 
diff --git a/spec/models/boolit_spec.rb b/spec/models/boolit_spec.rb
index c5d6fb93..d627f78b 100644
--- a/spec/models/boolit_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/boolit_spec.rb
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ describe Boolit, type: :model do
 
     before { subject.update_attributes!(name: FFaker::Name.name) }
 
-    it "should have versions" do
+    it "has two versions" do
       expect(subject.versions.size).to eq(2)
     end
 
-    it "should be able to be reified and persisted" do
+    it "can be reified and persisted" do
       expect { subject.versions.last.reify.save! }.to_not raise_error
     end
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ describe Boolit, type: :model do
         expect(Boolit.first).to be_nil
       end
 
-      it "should still be able to be reified and persisted" do
+      it "still can be reified and persisted" do
         expect { subject.paper_trail.previous_version.save! }.to_not raise_error
       end
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe Boolit, type: :model do
         end
         after { PaperTrail.serializer = PaperTrail::Serializers::YAML }
 
-        it "should not overwrite that attribute during the reification process" do
+        it "does not overwrite that attribute during the reification process" do
           expect(subject.paper_trail.previous_version.name).to be_nil
         end
       end
diff --git a/spec/models/callback_modifier_spec.rb b/spec/models/callback_modifier_spec.rb
index 9956ad7a..87c1ebde 100644
--- a/spec/models/callback_modifier_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/callback_modifier_spec.rb
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ describe CallbackModifier, type: :model do
   with_versioning do
     describe "callback-methods", versioning: true do
       describe "paper_trail_on_destroy" do
-        it "should add :destroy to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
+        it "adds :destroy to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
           modifier = NoArgDestroyModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.paper_trail_options[:on]).to eq [:destroy]
         end
 
         context "when :before" do
-          it "should create the version before destroy" do
+          it "creates the version before destroy" do
             modifier = BeforeDestroyModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
             modifier.test_destroy
             expect(modifier.versions.last.reify).not_to be_flagged_deleted
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ describe CallbackModifier, type: :model do
         end
 
         context "when :after" do
-          it "should create the version after destroy" do
+          it "creates the version after destroy" do
             modifier = AfterDestroyModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
             modifier.test_destroy
             expect(modifier.versions.last.reify).to be_flagged_deleted
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ describe CallbackModifier, type: :model do
         end
 
         context "when no argument" do
-          it "should default to before destroy" do
+          it "defaults to before destroy" do
             modifier = NoArgDestroyModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
             modifier.test_destroy
             expect(modifier.versions.last.reify).not_to be_flagged_deleted
@@ -35,12 +35,12 @@ describe CallbackModifier, type: :model do
       end
 
       describe "paper_trail_on_update" do
-        it "should add :update to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
+        it "adds :update to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
           modifier = UpdateModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.paper_trail_options[:on]).to eq [:update]
         end
 
-        it "should create a version" do
+        it "creates a version" do
           modifier = UpdateModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           modifier.update_attributes! some_content: "modified"
           expect(modifier.versions.last.event).to eq "update"
@@ -48,36 +48,36 @@ describe CallbackModifier, type: :model do
       end
 
       describe "paper_trail_on_create" do
-        it "should add :create to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
+        it "adds :create to paper_trail_options[:on]" do
           modifier = CreateModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.paper_trail_options[:on]).to eq [:create]
         end
 
-        it "should create a version" do
+        it "creates a version" do
           modifier = CreateModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.versions.last.event).to eq "create"
         end
       end
 
       context "when no callback-method used" do
-        it "should set paper_trail_options[:on] to [:create, :update, :destroy]" do
+        it "sets paper_trail_options[:on] to [:create, :update, :destroy]" do
           modifier = DefaultModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.paper_trail_options[:on]).to eq %i(create update destroy)
         end
 
-        it "should default to track destroy" do
+        it "tracks destroy" do
           modifier = DefaultModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           modifier.destroy
           expect(modifier.versions.last.event).to eq "destroy"
         end
 
-        it "should default to track update" do
+        it "tracks update" do
           modifier = DefaultModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           modifier.update_attributes! some_content: "modified"
           expect(modifier.versions.last.event).to eq "update"
         end
 
-        it "should default to track create" do
+        it "tracks create" do
           modifier = DefaultModifier.create!(some_content: FFaker::Lorem.sentence)
           expect(modifier.versions.last.event).to eq "create"
         end
diff --git a/spec/models/gadget_spec.rb b/spec/models/gadget_spec.rb
index 30845e0d..52b6452b 100644
--- a/spec/models/gadget_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/gadget_spec.rb
@@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ describe Gadget, type: :model do
   let(:gadget) { Gadget.create!(name: "Wrench", brand: "Acme") }
 
   describe "updates", versioning: true do
-    it "should generate a version for updates to `name` attribute" do
+    it "generates a version for updates to `name` attribute" do
       expect { gadget.update_attribute(:name, "Hammer") }.to(change { gadget.versions.size }.by(1))
     end
 
-    it "should ignore for updates to `brand` attribute" do
+    it "ignores for updates to `brand` attribute" do
       expect { gadget.update_attribute(:brand, "Stanley") }.to_not(change { gadget.versions.size })
     end
 
-    it "should still generate a version when only the `updated_at` attribute is updated" do
+    it "still generates a version when only the `updated_at` attribute is updated" do
       # Plus 1 second because MySQL lacks sub-second resolution
       expect {
         gadget.update_attribute(:updated_at, Time.now + 1)
@@ -36,25 +36,25 @@ describe Gadget, type: :model do
             before { subject.save! }
 
             context "without update timestamps" do
-              it "should only acknowledge non-ignored attrs" do
+              it "only acknowledges non-ignored attrs" do
                 subject.name = "Wrench"
                 expect(subject.paper_trail.changed_notably?).to be true
               end
 
-              it "should not acknowledge ignored attr (brand)" do
+              it "does not acknowledge ignored attr (brand)" do
                 subject.brand = "Acme"
                 expect(subject.paper_trail.changed_notably?).to be false
               end
             end
 
             context "with update timestamps" do
-              it "should only acknowledge non-ignored attrs" do
+              it "only acknowledges non-ignored attrs" do
                 subject.name = "Wrench"
                 subject.updated_at = Time.now
                 expect(subject.paper_trail.changed_notably?).to be true
               end
 
-              it "should not acknowledge ignored attrs and timestamps only" do
+              it "does not acknowledge ignored attrs and timestamps only" do
                 subject.brand = "Acme"
                 subject.updated_at = Time.now
                 expect(subject.paper_trail.changed_notably?).to be false
diff --git a/spec/models/joined_version_spec.rb b/spec/models/joined_version_spec.rb
index 11f6c77c..70ea8157 100644
--- a/spec/models/joined_version_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/joined_version_spec.rb
@@ -15,19 +15,19 @@ describe JoinedVersion, type: :model, versioning: true do
       before { widget } # persist a widget
 
       describe "#subsequent" do
-        it "shouldn't error out when there is a default_scope that joins" do
+        it "does not raise error when there is a default_scope that joins" do
           JoinedVersion.subsequent(version).first
         end
       end
 
       describe "#preceding" do
-        it "shouldn't error out when there is a default scope that joins" do
+        it "does not raise error when there is a default scope that joins" do
           JoinedVersion.preceding(version).first
         end
       end
 
       describe "#between" do
-        it "shouldn't error out when there is a default scope that joins" do
+        it "does not raise error when there is a default scope that joins" do
           JoinedVersion.between(Time.now, 1.minute.from_now).first
         end
       end
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ describe JoinedVersion, type: :model, versioning: true do
     describe "#index" do
       it { is_expected.to respond_to(:index) }
 
-      it "shouldn't error out when there is a default scope that joins" do
+      it "does not raise error when there is a default scope that joins" do
         widget # persist a widget
         version.index
       end
diff --git a/spec/models/json_version_spec.rb b/spec/models/json_version_spec.rb
index 9eebf3f6..0715f4a7 100644
--- a/spec/models/json_version_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/json_version_spec.rb
@@ -3,16 +3,15 @@ require "rails_helper"
 # The `json_versions` table tests postgres' `json` data type. So, that
 # table is only created when testing against postgres and ActiveRecord >= 4.
 if JsonVersion.table_exists?
-
-  describe JsonVersion, type: :model do
-    it "should include the `VersionConcern` module to get base functionality" do
-      expect(JsonVersion).to include(PaperTrail::VersionConcern)
+  RSpec.describe JsonVersion, type: :model do
+    it "includes the VersionConcern module" do
+      expect(described_class).to include(PaperTrail::VersionConcern)
     end
 
     describe "Methods" do
       describe "Class" do
         describe "#where_object" do
-          it { expect(JsonVersion).to respond_to(:where_object) }
+          it { expect(described_class).to respond_to(:where_object) }
 
           it "escapes values" do
             f = Fruit.create(name: "Bobby")
@@ -25,9 +24,9 @@ if JsonVersion.table_exists?
           end
 
           context "invalid arguments" do
-            it "should raise an error" do
-              expect { JsonVersion.where_object(:foo) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
-              expect { JsonVersion.where_object([]) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
+            it "raises an error" do
+              expect { described_class.where_object(:foo) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
+              expect { described_class.where_object([]) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
             end
           end
 
@@ -43,15 +42,15 @@ if JsonVersion.table_exists?
               fruit.update_attributes!(name: fruit_names.sample, color: FFaker::Color.name)
             end
 
-            it "should be able to locate versions according to their `object` contents" do
-              expect(JsonVersion.where_object(name: name)).to eq([fruit.versions[1]])
-              expect(JsonVersion.where_object(color: color)).to eq([fruit.versions[2]])
+            it "locates versions according to their `object` contents" do
+              expect(described_class.where_object(name: name)).to eq([fruit.versions[1]])
+              expect(described_class.where_object(color: color)).to eq([fruit.versions[2]])
             end
           end
         end
 
         describe "#where_object_changes" do
-          it { expect(JsonVersion).to respond_to(:where_object_changes) }
+          it { expect(described_class).to respond_to(:where_object_changes) }
 
           it "escapes values" do
             f = Fruit.create(name: "Bobby")
@@ -64,9 +63,9 @@ if JsonVersion.table_exists?
           end
 
           context "invalid arguments" do
-            it "should raise an error" do
-              expect { JsonVersion.where_object_changes(:foo) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
-              expect { JsonVersion.where_object_changes([]) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
+            it "raises an error" do
+              expect { described_class.where_object_changes(:foo) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
+              expect { described_class.where_object_changes([]) }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
             end
           end
 
diff --git a/spec/models/not_on_update_spec.rb b/spec/models/not_on_update_spec.rb
index 95304a1e..5306fd69 100644
--- a/spec/models/not_on_update_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/not_on_update_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ describe NotOnUpdate, type: :model do
   describe "#touch_with_version", versioning: true do
     let!(:record) { described_class.create! }
 
-    it "should create a version, regardless" do
+    it "creates a version, regardless" do
       expect { record.paper_trail.touch_with_version }.to change {
         PaperTrail::Version.count
       }.by(+1)
diff --git a/spec/models/post_with_status_spec.rb b/spec/models/post_with_status_spec.rb
index 3255373f..4f2bc805 100644
--- a/spec/models/post_with_status_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/post_with_status_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ describe PostWithStatus, type: :model do
   with_versioning do
     let(:post) { described_class.create!(status: "draft") }
 
-    it "should stash the enum value properly in versions" do
+    it "saves the enum value in versions" do
       post.published!
       post.archived!
       expect(post.paper_trail.previous_version.published?).to be true
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ describe PostWithStatus, type: :model do
     context "storing enum object_changes" do
       subject { post.versions.last }
 
-      it "should stash the enum value properly in versions object_changes" do
+      it "saves the enum value properly in versions object_changes" do
         post.published!
         post.archived!
         expect(subject.changeset["status"]).to eql %w(published archived)
diff --git a/spec/models/skipper_spec.rb b/spec/models/skipper_spec.rb
index 1088fbc9..adb115b6 100644
--- a/spec/models/skipper_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/skipper_spec.rb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ describe Skipper, type: :model do
         let(:t1) { Time.zone.local(2015, 7, 15, 20, 34, 0) }
         let(:t2) { Time.zone.local(2015, 7, 15, 20, 34, 30) }
 
-        it "should not create a version" do
+        it "does not create a version" do
           skipper = Skipper.create!(another_timestamp: t1)
           expect {
             skipper.update_attributes!(another_timestamp: t2)
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ describe Skipper, type: :model do
         let(:t2) { Time.zone.local(2015, 7, 15, 20, 34, 30) }
 
         context "without preserve (default)" do
-          it "should have no timestamp" do
+          it "has no timestamp" do
             skipper = Skipper.create!(another_timestamp: t1)
             skipper.update_attributes!(another_timestamp: t2, name: "Foobar")
             skipper = skipper.versions.last.reify
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ describe Skipper, type: :model do
         end
 
         context "with preserve" do
-          it "should preserve its timestamp" do
+          it "preserves its timestamp" do
             skipper = Skipper.create!(another_timestamp: t1)
             skipper.update_attributes!(another_timestamp: t2, name: "Foobar")
             skipper = skipper.versions.last.reify(unversioned_attributes: :preserve)
diff --git a/spec/models/thing_spec.rb b/spec/models/thing_spec.rb
index 41636d13..d0c37415 100644
--- a/spec/models/thing_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/thing_spec.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ require "rails_helper"
 describe Thing, type: :model do
   it { is_expected.to be_versioned }
 
-  describe "should not store object_changes", versioning: true do
+  describe "does not store object_changes", versioning: true do
     let(:thing) { Thing.create(name: "pencil") }
 
     it { expect(thing.versions.last.object_changes).to be_nil }
diff --git a/spec/models/version_spec.rb b/spec/models/version_spec.rb
index 41b8d040..3ba9dde3 100644
--- a/spec/models/version_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/version_spec.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
 describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
-  it "should include the `VersionConcern` module to get base functionality" do
+  it "includes the VersionConcern module" do
     expect(PaperTrail::Version).to include(PaperTrail::VersionConcern)
   end
 
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
       context "serializer is YAML" do
         specify { expect(PaperTrail.serializer).to be PaperTrail::Serializers::YAML }
 
-        it "should store out as a plain hash" do
+        it "store out as a plain hash" do
           expect(value =~ /HashWithIndifferentAccess/).to be_nil
         end
       end
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
       context "serializer is JSON" do
         before(:all) { PaperTrail.serializer = PaperTrail::Serializers::JSON }
 
-        it "should store out as a plain hash" do
+        it "store out as a plain hash" do
           expect(value =~ /HashWithIndifferentAccess/).to be_nil
         end
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
         context "No previous versions" do
           specify { expect(subject.previous).to be_nil }
 
-          it "should return nil" do
+          it "return nil" do
             expect(subject.paper_trail_originator).to be_nil
           end
         end
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
 
           specify { expect(subject.previous).to be_instance_of(PaperTrail::Version) }
 
-          it "should return nil" do
+          it "return nil" do
             expect(subject.paper_trail_originator).to eq(name)
           end
         end
@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
       describe "#originator" do
         it { is_expected.to respond_to(:originator) }
 
-        it "should set the invoke `paper_trail_originator`" do
+        it "sets the invoke `paper_trail_originator`" do
           allow(ActiveSupport::Deprecation).to receive(:warn)
           is_expected.to receive(:paper_trail_originator)
           subject.originator
         end
 
-        it "should display a deprecation warning" do
+        it "displays a deprecation warning" do
           expect(ActiveSupport::Deprecation).to receive(:warn).
             with(/Use paper_trail_originator instead of originator/)
           subject.originator
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
       describe "#version_author" do
         it { is_expected.to respond_to(:version_author) }
 
-        it "should be an alias for the `terminator` method" do
+        it "is an alias for the `terminator` method" do
           expect(subject.method(:version_author)).to eq(subject.method(:terminator))
         end
       end
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
             it { expect(PaperTrail::Version).to respond_to(:where_object) }
 
             context "invalid arguments" do
-              it "should raise an error" do
+              it "raises an error" do
                 expect {
                   PaperTrail::Version.where_object(:foo)
                 }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
                   expect(PaperTrail.serializer).to be PaperTrail::Serializers::YAML
                 end
 
-                it "should be able to locate versions according to their `object` contents" do
+                it "locates versions according to their `object` contents" do
                   expect(
                     PaperTrail::Version.where_object(name: name)
                   ).to eq([widget.versions[1]])
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
                   expect(PaperTrail.serializer).to be PaperTrail::Serializers::JSON
                 end
 
-                it "should be able to locate versions according to their `object` contents" do
+                it "locates versions according to their `object` contents" do
                   expect(
                     PaperTrail::Version.where_object(name: name)
                   ).to eq([widget.versions[1]])
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::Version, type: :model do
 
           describe "#where_object_changes" do
             context "invalid arguments" do
-              it "should raise an error" do
+              it "raises an error" do
                 expect {
                   PaperTrail::Version.where_object_changes(:foo)
                 }.to raise_error(ArgumentError)
diff --git a/spec/models/widget_spec.rb b/spec/models/widget_spec.rb
index 422fd0b7..0260e8b3 100644
--- a/spec/models/widget_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/widget_spec.rb
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
   describe "versioning option" do
     context "enabled", versioning: true do
-      it "should enable versioning" do
+      it "enables versioning" do
         expect(widget.versions.size).to eq(1)
       end
     end
 
     context "disabled (default)" do
-      it "should not enable versioning" do
+      it "does not enable versioning" do
         expect(widget.versions.size).to eq(0)
       end
     end
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
     describe "after_create" do
       let(:widget) { Widget.create!(name: "Foobar", created_at: Time.now - 1.week) }
 
-      it "corresponding version should use the widget's `updated_at`" do
+      it "corresponding version uses the widget's `updated_at`" do
         expect(widget.versions.last.created_at.to_i).to eq(widget.updated_at.to_i)
       end
     end
@@ -81,22 +81,22 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
       it { expect(subject.paper_trail).not_to be_live }
 
-      it "should clear the `versions_association_name` virtual attribute" do
+      it "clears the `versions_association_name` virtual attribute" do
         subject.save!
         expect(subject.paper_trail).to be_live
       end
 
-      it "corresponding version should use the widget updated_at" do
+      it "corresponding version uses the widget updated_at" do
         expect(widget.versions.last.created_at.to_i).to eq(widget.updated_at.to_i)
       end
     end
 
     describe "after_destroy" do
-      it "should create a version for that event" do
+      it "creates a version for that event" do
         expect { widget.destroy }.to change(widget.versions, :count).by(1)
       end
 
-      it "should assign the version into the `versions_association_name`" do
+      it "assigns the version into the `versions_association_name`" do
         expect(widget.version).to be_nil
         widget.destroy
         expect(widget.version).not_to be_nil
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
   describe "Association", versioning: true do
     describe "sort order" do
-      it "should sort by the timestamp order from the `VersionConcern`" do
+      it "sorts by the timestamp order from the `VersionConcern`" do
         expect(widget.versions.to_sql).to eq(
           widget.versions.reorder(PaperTrail::Version.timestamp_sort_order).to_sql
         )
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
   if defined?(ActiveRecord::IdentityMap) && ActiveRecord::IdentityMap.respond_to?(:without)
     describe "IdentityMap", versioning: true do
-      it "should not clobber the IdentityMap when reifying" do
+      it "does not clobber the IdentityMap when reifying" do
         widget.update_attributes name: "Henry", created_at: Time.now - 1.day
         widget.update_attributes name: "Harry"
         expect(ActiveRecord::IdentityMap).to receive(:without).once
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
           context "accessed from live model instance" do
             specify { expect(widget.paper_trail).to be_live }
 
-            it "should return the originator for the model at a given state" do
+            it "returns the originator for the model at a given state" do
               expect(widget.paper_trail.originator).to eq(orig_name)
               widget.paper_trail.whodunnit(new_name) { |w|
                 w.update_attributes(name: "Elizabeth")
@@ -221,11 +221,11 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
             context "default behavior (no `options[:dup]` option passed in)" do
               let(:reified_widget) { widget.versions[1].reify }
 
-              it "should return the appropriate originator" do
+              it "returns the appropriate originator" do
                 expect(reified_widget.paper_trail.originator).to eq(orig_name)
               end
 
-              it "should not create a new model instance" do
+              it "does not create a new model instance" do
                 expect(reified_widget).not_to be_new_record
               end
             end
@@ -233,11 +233,11 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
             context "creating a new instance (`options[:dup] == true`)" do
               let(:reified_widget) { widget.versions[1].reify(dup: true) }
 
-              it "should return the appropriate originator" do
+              it "returns the appropriate originator" do
                 expect(reified_widget.paper_trail.originator).to eq(orig_name)
               end
 
-              it "should not create a new model instance" do
+              it "does not create a new model instance" do
                 expect(reified_widget).to be_new_record
               end
             end
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
       describe "#version_at" do
         context "Timestamp argument is AFTER object has been destroyed" do
-          it "should return `nil`" do
+          it "returns nil" do
             widget.update_attribute(:name, "foobar")
             widget.destroy
             expect(widget.paper_trail.version_at(Time.now)).to be_nil
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
 
       describe "#whodunnit" do
         context "no block given" do
-          it "should raise an error" do
+          it "raises an error" do
             expect {
               widget.paper_trail.whodunnit("Ben")
             }.to raise_error(ArgumentError, "expected to receive a block")
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
             expect(widget.versions.last.whodunnit).to eq(orig_name) # persist `widget`
           end
 
-          it "should modify value of `PaperTrail.whodunnit` while executing the block" do
+          it "modifies value of `PaperTrail.whodunnit` while executing the block" do
             widget.paper_trail.whodunnit(new_name) do
               expect(PaperTrail.whodunnit).to eq(new_name)
               widget.update_attributes(name: "Elizabeth")
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
       end
 
       describe ".disable" do
-        it "should set the `paper_trail.enabled?` to `false`" do
+        it "sets the `paper_trail.enabled?` to `false`" do
           expect(Widget.paper_trail.enabled?).to eq(true)
           Widget.paper_trail.disable
           expect(Widget.paper_trail.enabled?).to eq(false)
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ describe Widget, type: :model do
       end
 
       describe ".enable" do
-        it "should set the `paper_trail.enabled?` to `true`" do
+        it "sets the `paper_trail.enabled?` to `true`" do
           Widget.paper_trail.disable
           expect(Widget.paper_trail.enabled?).to eq(false)
           Widget.paper_trail.enable
diff --git a/spec/modules/paper_trail_spec.rb b/spec/modules/paper_trail_spec.rb
index 4bf9fe6e..23fd2d3c 100644
--- a/spec/modules/paper_trail_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/modules/paper_trail_spec.rb
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ describe PaperTrail, type: :module, versioning: true do
   describe "#config" do
     it { is_expected.to respond_to(:config) }
 
-    it "should allow for config values to be set" do
+    it "allows for config values to be set" do
       expect(subject.config.enabled).to eq(true)
       subject.config.enabled = false
       expect(subject.config.enabled).to eq(false)
     end
 
-    it "should accept blocks and yield the config instance" do
+    it "accepts blocks and yield the config instance" do
       expect(subject.config.enabled).to eq(true)
       subject.config { |c| c.enabled = false }
       expect(subject.config.enabled).to eq(false)
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe PaperTrail, type: :module, versioning: true do
   describe "#configure" do
     it { is_expected.to respond_to(:configure) }
 
-    it "should be an alias for the `config` method" do
+    it "is an alias for the `config` method" do
       expect(subject.method(:configure)).to eq(subject.method(:config))
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/modules/version_concern_spec.rb b/spec/modules/version_concern_spec.rb
index 10574084..03d2ce1f 100644
--- a/spec/modules/version_concern_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/modules/version_concern_spec.rb
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ describe PaperTrail::VersionConcern do
   end
 
   describe "persistence", versioning: true do
-    it "should store versions in the correct corresponding db location" do
+    it "stores versions in the correct corresponding db location" do
       foo_doc = Foo::Document.create!(name: "foobar")
       bar_doc = Bar::Document.create!(name: "raboof")
       expect(foo_doc.versions.first).to be_instance_of(Foo::Version)
diff --git a/spec/modules/version_number_spec.rb b/spec/modules/version_number_spec.rb
index a9839f7e..727cfa79 100644
--- a/spec/modules/version_number_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/modules/version_number_spec.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ require "spec_helper"
 module PaperTrail
   RSpec.describe VERSION do
     describe "STRING" do
-      it "should join the numbers into a period separated string" do
+      it "joins the numbers into a period separated string" do
         expect(described_class::STRING).to eq(
           [
             described_class::MAJOR,
diff --git a/spec/paper_trail_spec.rb b/spec/paper_trail_spec.rb
index db8bd5d5..20779a88 100644
--- a/spec/paper_trail_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/paper_trail_spec.rb
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
   end
 
   context "default" do
-    it "should have versioning off by default" do
+    it "has versioning off by default" do
       expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled
     end
 
-    it "should turn versioning on in a `with_versioning` block" do
+    it "has versioning on in a `with_versioning` block" do
       expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled
       with_versioning do
         expect(described_class).to be_enabled
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
     end
 
     context "error within `with_versioning` block" do
-      it "should revert the value of `PaperTrail.enabled?` to it's previous state" do
+      it "reverts the value of `PaperTrail.enabled?` to its previous state" do
         expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled
         expect { with_versioning { raise } }.to raise_error(RuntimeError)
         expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
   end
 
   context "`versioning: true`", versioning: true do
-    it "should have versioning on by default" do
+    it "has versioning on by default" do
       expect(described_class).to be_enabled
     end
 
-    it "should keep versioning on after a with_versioning block" do
+    it "keeps versioning on after a with_versioning block" do
       expect(described_class).to be_enabled
       with_versioning do
         expect(described_class).to be_enabled
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
     it { expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled }
 
     with_versioning do
-      it "should have versioning on by default" do
+      it "has versioning on by default" do
         expect(described_class).to be_enabled
       end
     end
-    it "should not leak the `enabled?` state into successive tests" do
+    it "does not leak the `enabled?` state into successive tests" do
       expect(described_class).not_to be_enabled
     end
   end
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
   describe ".whodunnit" do
     before(:all) { described_class.whodunnit = "foobar" }
 
-    it "should get set to `nil` by default" do
+    it "is nil by default" do
       expect(described_class.whodunnit).to be_nil
     end
   end
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ RSpec.describe PaperTrail do
   describe ".controller_info" do
     before(:all) { described_class.controller_info = { foo: "bar" } }
 
-    it "should get set to an empty hash before each test" do
+    it "is set to an empty hash before each test" do
       expect(described_class.controller_info).to eq({})
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/requests/articles_spec.rb b/spec/requests/articles_spec.rb
index 49b4feda..2d83fa7a 100644
--- a/spec/requests/articles_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/articles_spec.rb
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ describe "Articles management", type: :request, order: :defined do
   context "versioning disabled" do
     specify { expect(PaperTrail).not_to be_enabled }
 
-    it "should not create a version" do
+    it "does not create a version" do
       expect(PaperTrail).to be_enabled_for_controller
       expect {
         post articles_path, params_wrapper(valid_params)
       }.to_not change(PaperTrail::Version, :count)
     end
 
-    it "should not leak the state of the `PaperTrail.enabled_for_controller?` into the next test" do
+    it "does not leak the state of the `PaperTrail.enabled_for_controller?` into the next test" do
       expect(PaperTrail).to be_enabled_for_controller
     end
   end
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ describe "Articles management", type: :request, order: :defined do
     let(:article) { Article.last }
 
     context "`current_user` method returns a `String`" do
-      it "should set that value as the `whodunnit`" do
+      it "sets that value as the `whodunnit`" do
         expect {
           post articles_path, params_wrapper(valid_params)
         }.to change(PaperTrail::Version, :count).by(1)