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Jooney Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Should
Hi,
It's funny you should mention that.
I came across this sentence while I was watiching a couple of Grimm episodes over the weekend.
What does "should" mean here? And what does the whole sentence mean?
I'd appreciate your help.
It's funny you should mention that.
I came across this sentence while I was watiching a couple of Grimm episodes over the weekend.
What does "should" mean here? And what does the whole sentence mean?
I'd appreciate your help.
Top answer
"Should" is here used in a subordinate clause after an adjective expressing a personal reaction to something. It's surprising that my mother should say that to you (she's usually quite reserved). You can also use "would" instead of "should" or you can omit "should": It's surprising that my mother would say that to you.
- "Should" is here used in a subordinate clause after an adjective expressing a personal reaction to something.
- It's surprising that my mother should say that to you (she's usually quite reserved).
- You can also use "would" instead of "should" or you can omit "should": It's surprising that my mother would say that to you.
- It's surprising that my mother said that to you.
- JK
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5 Answers
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"Should" is here used in a subordinate clause after an adjective expressing a personal reaction to something.
It's surprising that my mother should say that to you (she's usually quite reserved).
You can also use "would" instead of "should" or you can omit "should":
It's surprising that my mother would say that to you.
It's surprising that my mother said that to you.
JK
It's surprising that my mother should say that to you (she's usually quite reserved).
You can also use "would" instead of "should" or you can omit "should":
It's surprising that my mother would say that to you.
It's surprising that my mother said that to you.
JK
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Thank you for your reply, JohnKeats.
So it means that the fact that you mentioned it is funny. What kind of meaning does "funny" have here? In what context would you say something like that?
So it means that the fact that you mentioned it is funny. What kind of meaning does "funny" have here? In what context would you say something like that?
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Broadly speaking, "funny" can mean either "humorous" or "unusual". In this context, it generally means "unusual".
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jooneyIt's funny you should mention that. ... And what does the whole sentence mean?A less literal paraphrase is
What a coincidence that you mentioned that.
should in itself has no lexical meaning here. It is sometimes called 'evaluative' should.
CJ
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