Be kind, be fair

Question

(used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt):That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?

I understand the meaning but please how do I know that we need "be" before fair and so kind? Is it a main verb here?
Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Jigneshbharatihow do I know that we need "be" before fair and so kind?

Surely you have seen "is" and "are".

That is fair. That is kind. This is good. Those are bad. These are tall. This is short.

"is" and "are" change to "be" when preceded by "will", "would", and other modal verbs.
You must use 'be' after modal verbs. (instead of "is", "are", "was", "were", etc.)
So you don't need "be" before "fair" and "kind". You need "be" after "would".
Study the modal verbs (will, would, can, could, shall, should, may, might, must).

That would be fair. That would be kind. This would be good. Those will be bad. These should be tall. This might be short.

In question form, the word order changes, but you still use the same words:

Would that be fair? Would that be kind? Would this be good? Will those be bad? Should these be tall? Might this be short?

Adding extra words doesn't change the basic pattern.

That is fair. That would be fair. That would scarcely be fair.
You are kind. You would be kind. Would you be kind? Would you be so kind?

CJ

Jigneshbharati · Answer

Thank you CJ for being patient, kind and always coming up with simple but effective examples. I really appreciate your help. People like you keep the passion for this beautiful language alive.

Be kind, be fair

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