0
Wowenglish Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Should

I would like to know the difference between "1" and "2".
1. He should be here by now - something must have happened to him.
2. He should have been here by now - something must have happened to him.
  

Top answer

Nothing really; the first intimates that the arrival time is essentially 'now' and the second suggests that arrival time was definitely before now.

— Mister Micawber

  • Nothing really; the first intimates that the arrival time is essentially 'now' and the second suggests that arrival time was definitely before now.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
Nothing really; the first intimates that the arrival time is essentially 'now' and the second suggests that arrival time was definitely before now.
0
0
Maybe I'm crazy, but I detect a slight difference. (l) Two persons are talking: Where is Tom? I don't know. Have you checked the fifth floor? He should be here by now, for it's 8 o'clock, and he always arrives by 7:45. (2) Two persons: What's wrong? I'm sure something has happened to Mona. Why? It's 6 o'clock. She should have been here by now, for she always gets home by 5:15.
0

Related Questions