Page 226 - Basic English Usage

296 — 298 228

296 should and would

There are really three different verbs.
should
This verb (/ should/you should/he should etc) is used to talk about
obligation, and in some other ways. For details, see 294.

would
This verb (/ wou/d/you woula/he would etc) can be used to talk about
past habits, and to make polite requests. For details, see 369.

should/would
This verb — the conditional auxiliary — has the following forms:

| should/would
you would
he/she/it would
we should/would
they would

The conditional is used in sentences with if, and in some other ways. For
details, see 88.

297 should after why and how

We can ask a question beginning Why should .. . ?to show that we do
not understand something.
Why should it get colder when you go up a mountain? You're getting
nearer the sun.

Why should 1? and How should | know? show that we are angry.
‘Give me a cigarette.’ ‘Why should !?’
‘What's Susan's phone number?’ ‘How should | know?’

298 should: (If | were you) | should ...

We often give advice by saying /f/ were you ...
If lwere you, | should get that car serviced.
! shouldn't worry if |were you.
Sometimes we leave out /f/ were you.
| should get that car serviced.
| shouldn't worry.
In sentences like these, / shou/d has a similar meaning to you should.