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The modal auxiliary should has several
uses. We've just seen
that one common one is in
showing advisability--showing
that something
is a good idea. Another
use for should is in
showing expectation--using information that is already known
in
order to make a "best guess," based on the information,
on what one expects
to happen (or what one expects not
to happen.
Another common use for should happens
when requests
or suggestions are proceeded by an "if" clause:
If Bob should call, tell him that
the meeting is
at 10:00 AM.
If Bob should call, you might ask if
he'd like to
join us for dinner.
In sentences such as this,
should shows a remote possibility.
The
speaker or writer doesn't really expect what is shown
after
should to happen, but realizes that it might
happen.
More examples:
If I should
fall asleep, please wake me at 7:30.
(The speaker / writer doesn't
really expect to fall asleep,
but he / she knows
it is still a possibility. The "if" clause
could
also be written "If I happen to
fall asleep"
with no change in meaning.)
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If we should
have any extra time, we might want to
go out for
dinner.
(The speaker / writer doesn't
really expect to have any
extra time, but he /
she knows that it is still a possibility,
and
if it happens, the speaker / writer suggests going
out
for dinner. The "if" clause could also be written
"If we happen to
have any extra time" with no change
in meaning.)
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If you should see Jane, tell her that Mr. Kraft
wants
to see her.
(The speaker / writer doesn't
really expect that the person
he / she is speaking
or writing to will see Jane, but still
knows that
it is a possibility. The "if clause " could also
be written "If you happen to
see Jane" with no change
in meaning.)
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Special Notes:
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Sentences such as those above
can also be written
or spoken without should:
If I should fall asleep .
. . /
If I fall asleep
If we should have any extra
time . . . /
If we have any extra time
If you should see Jane . .
. /
If you see Jane.
The version without should is more
direct and
abrupt, however, than the version with
should.
In requests, therefore,
the effect with should is
"softer," less certain,
and less demanding.
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When should is used in an "if" clause to show
a
remote possibility, "if" is often deleted, and the
subject and should
are then stated or written
in inverted order:
If I should fall asleep ----->
Should I fall fall asleep
If you should see Jane ----->
Should you see Jane
If we should have any extra time ----->
Should we have any extra time
In speaking, this variation
on "If _____ should"
is used only in
very formal situations, but in
writing, this
variation on "If _____ should" is
commonly
used as an ending to business letters:
Should you need further information,
please don't hesitate to contact us.
Should you have further questions,
please
feel free to ask.
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