0
Kprichards Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Usage of should

Hi,

Could you tell me how the word 'should' is used in the following sentence?

He might come, but I should be surprised.

Thanks,
Richards.
  

Top answer

The way it is, the sentence doesn't sound natural to me. He might very well come, I shouldn't be surprised (if he comes; I'm actually expecting him to come) He might come(I think, he would), but I should seem surprised(probably to pretend not caring about his coming)

— Karansardana

  • The way it is, the sentence doesn't sound natural to me.
  • He might very well come, I shouldn't be surprised (if he comes; I'm actually expecting him to come) He might come(I think, he would), but I should seem surprised(probably to pretend not caring about his coming)
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.

3 Answers
0
The way it is, the sentence doesn't sound natural to me.

He might very well come, I shouldn't be surprised (if he comes; I'm actually expecting him to come)
He might come(I think, he would), but I should seem surprised(probably to pretend not caring about his coming)
0
0
kprichardsHe might come, but I should be surprised.
This is natural for a minority of speakers of BrE, but most native speakers use 'would' -

He may/might come, but I should/would be surprised (if he did).
0
0
Thanks to all,
Richards.
0

Related Questions