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Teleostomi Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

unless you SHOULD be Lancelot



For your sake I will release all the prisoners that I hold, unless you should be Lancelot, the knight I hate most of all, for he slew my brother.

What does this "should" exacly mean?
  

Top answer

A rather pedantic and archaic way of saying "if you are"

— Feebs11

  • A rather pedantic and archaic way of saying "if you are"
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6 Answers
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A rather pedantic and archaic way of saying "if you are"
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Feebs11A rather pedantic and archaic way of saying "if you are"
Archaic, I agree. But is it pedantic? Was it a form of the subjunctive, used in a case of doubt? (I never studied the subjunctive in English, my native language, but I've studied it in three Romance languages, and this would be subjunctive in all three.) I'd appreciate your input, Feebs.
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I'd say it corresponds (more or less) to "if you happen(ed) to be Lancelot". What would you say, Philip?
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PieanneI'd say it corresponds (more or less) to "if you happen(ed) to be Lancelot". What would you say, Philip?

I agree.
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Thanks, guys!

You say "should be" here means "happen to be." Do you agree that it's referring to less probability than "if you are Lancelot"?
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