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- debasis_stat
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English Grammar (Discussion)
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apigud said – Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:40:10 -0000 ( Link )
Should vs. Would
The two verbs are not always interchangeable. You can use either should or would in the first person to express the future from the point of view of the past. The same principle applies to the verb in sentences that express a future condition. · He swore that I should (or would) pay for the remark. · If I had known that, I would (or more formally, should) have answered differently.
In the second and third persons, however, you only use would: · She assured us that she would (not should) return. · If he had known that, he would (not should) have answered differently.
Only should is correct: To express duty or obligation, you use should as the equivalent of ought to: I (or you or he) should go.
Only would is correct: You use would (and not should) to express willingness or promise (I agreed that I would do it) and to express habitual action in the past (We would walk along the canal at night). Would also has the advantage of being a polite substitute for will in requests: Would you lend me a dollar?
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