should you, could you or do you?

Question

Hi,Please shed some light on this confusion. Are these uses right? I came across these uses while perusing some of your posts.  Should I have to use...?Would I have to use...?Do I have to use...?

YoHf · Accepted Answer

I guess they are.

Could you make a few examples, so that we may see if you have understood how/when to use them?

[Y]

MrPedantic · Answer

"Should I" here suggests "Am I obliged to..."

"Would I" suggests a speculation about a course of action.

"Do I" suggests a request for advice, in a real situation.

MrP

CalifJim · Answer

My two cents.

You have three versions of the semi-modal "have to" in a question, which by itself asks if something is required of you. It asks if you have the obligation to do something - to use something in this case.

The simplest version is the last. Here the ordinary "do" is applied as in any question formula. Here you are asking if you have the obligation to use something. You are asking if you are required to use it.

The version with "would" adds a further dimension. Here you are indicating that you have some conditions or some supposition in mind. Look at the following examples. Imagine that a salesman is trying to persuade you to buy cell phone. If you decide to buy the phone, you say, "Fine. I'll take it. Do I have to pay cash?" If you have not yet decided you say, "I'm not sure. Would I have to pay cash?" In this case you are asking about any requirement upon you to pay cash supposing that you bought the phone. By using "would", you are showing that you have not yet decided that you are going to buy the phone.

The version with "should" is again different from the others. "should" is a modal verb which is normally related to expectations or advisability. But used with "have to", it takes on a different shade of meaning. (The use of two or more modals and/or semi-modals always creates complications!)
"Should I have to ..." means something like "Is it fair that I have to ..." or "Is it a reasonable requirement that I have to ..." Likewise, "I should not have to ..." means "I do not believe it is a just requirement for me to ..."

CJ

should you, could you or do you?

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