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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Hello, I am having difficulty understanding the modal verb 'should'. I know this used when something is considered to be a duty or an obligation, but my particular question regards the use of 'should have' in the past tense. I read the following sentence in a novel and was unsure as to why 'should have' had been used. The sentence is this: 'I don't know just why my successful evasion of chemistry should have floated into my mind there in the office.' Is 'should have' here used because there is doubt, i.e. the narrator is unsure as to why the thought appeared. It seems a bit awkward to me. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. I think I've tied myself in knots with this one. Many thanks. W
Top answer
It seems to me that the writer wanted to give thoughts and ideas an independent volition, that the first person that he describes has lost control of the ideas that come to mind. The thought had entered his mind, and now he wonders why that thought had decided to do so. s=t
- It seems to me that the writer wanted to give thoughts and ideas an independent volition, that the first person that he describes has lost control of the ideas that come to mind.
- The thought had entered his mind, and now he wonders why that thought had decided to do so.
- s=t
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2 Answers
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It seems to me that the writer wanted to give thoughts and ideas an independent volition, that the first person that he describes has lost control of the ideas that come to mind. The thought had entered his mind, and now he wonders why that thought had decided to do so. (Past action.)
The definition of "should" is somewhere between a condition, and an obligation (entries 2 and 3)
The definition of "should" is somewhere between a condition, and an obligation (entries 2 and 3)
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Thank you for your prompt answer. The idea of the thoughts themselves being independent makes sense in this case.
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