Should have offended
“I really mean this because I am not rescuing anything – it is over for me professionally as far as I can see – I am very, very sorry that I should have so offended them,” he said. “I do utter an apology, not for any reason other than out of genuine contrition for the hurt I had caused them.” (The Guardian.)
Why is "should" preceding "have so offended" in the sentence above?
I'm familiar with usage of the "should + perfect infinitive" form in cases in which an obligation or expectation was unfulfilled in the past but it's not the case in that passage? So, how would it change the meaning of that apology if "should" was dropped altogether there?
Top answer
anonymous Why is "should" preceding "have so offended" in the sentence above? It is a more confident form of a 'might' conditional. anonymous So, how would it change the meaning of that apology if "should" was dropped altogether there?
- anonymous Why is "should" preceding "have so offended" in the sentence above?
- It is a more confident form of a 'might' conditional.
- anonymous So, how would it change the meaning of that apology if "should" was dropped altogether there?
- That is even more confident of the offense made.
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anonymousWhy is "should" preceding "have so offended" in the sentence above?
It is a more confident form of a 'might' conditional.
anonymous So, how would it change the meaning of that apology if "should" was dropped altogether there?
That is even more confident of the offense made.
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