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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
How would I know
Why do we say "How would I know" or "I wouldn't know" when we should use "should" instead of "would" in the above sentences as in "How should I know" or "I shouldn't know".
"Would" is only used as the past form of "will" in reported speech and in conditional sentences.
"Would" is only used as the past form of "will" in reported speech and in conditional sentences.
Top answer
" in this case means "There is no possible way for me to know the answer to your question". " are used interchangeably. Both mean "I don't know" but they are used to show annoyance in response to a question.
- " in this case means "There is no possible way for me to know the answer to your question".
- " are used interchangeably.
- Both mean "I don't know" but they are used to show annoyance in response to a question.
- " "I wouldn't know" is similar to "I don't know" except it is often used to let the questioner know they have asked an inappropriate, sensitive or embarrassing question.
- "I shouldn't know" is never used.
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The "would" in this case is not the past form of "will." "How would I know?" in this case means "There is no possible way for me to know the answer to your question".
In the US "How would I know?" and "How should I know?" are used interchangeably. Both mean "I don't know" but they are used to show annoyance in response to a question. The meaning is "I don't know, and why are you even as
In the US "How would I know?" and "How should I know?" are used interchangeably. Both mean "I don't know" but they are used to show annoyance in response to a question. The meaning is "I don't know, and why are you even as
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