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06-Mar-2004, 13:35
| | | why the word "should" is before the subject? please help me.
Should a position opens up, i will let you know.
why the word should is at the beginning of the sentence? i mean, i only know how to use the word "should" as in sentences like "you should do your homework" or "i dont think it should be a problem " and it is always used right after the subject. the only time it comes before the subject is in form of question, like "shouldnt you be at the city hall by now?"
are there are any other contexts in which such words like should, whould, could, have to come before the subject. if any, and if anybody out there have some time to spare, please let me know.
any help will be appreciated. thank you. | 
06-Mar-2004, 14:18
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,067
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know.
Should a position open up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely. | 
08-Mar-2004, 16:05
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: USA
Posts: 6,089
Current Location: New York First Language: American English Member Type: Academic | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know. Should a position opens up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely.  | That would be "open" in American English. Would Brits use "opens" there? | 
08-Mar-2004, 21:50
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Country: USA
Posts: 15,526
Current Location: North Carolina First Language: English Member Type: Other | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know. Should a position opens up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely.  | That would be "open" in American English. Would Brits use "opens" there? | I think that's a typo. That's been known to happen with Tdol's posts.
:wink: | 
08-Mar-2004, 21:53
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: USA
Posts: 6,089
Current Location: New York First Language: American English Member Type: Academic | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by RonBee Quote: |
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know. Should a position opens up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely.  | That would be "open" in American English. Would Brits use "opens" there? | I think that's a typo. That's been known to happen with Tdol's posts.
:wink: | I thought so, but I'm never sure these days. :wink: | 
08-Mar-2004, 23:20
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,067
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know. Should a position opens up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely.  | That would be "open" in American English. Would Brits use "opens" there? | It was a typo- I've fixed it. | 
09-Mar-2004, 00:07
|  | VIP Member | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: USA
Posts: 6,089
Current Location: New York First Language: American English Member Type: Academic | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol Quote: |
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork Quote: |
Originally Posted by tdol In this context, 'should' has replaced 'if', which we soemtimes do with first conditional sentences:
If a position opens up, I will let you know. Should a position opens up, I will let you know.
The second implies that this is not very likely.  | That would be "open" in American English. Would Brits use "opens" there? | It was a typo- I've fixed it.  | I feared it was another one of those subjunctive-ish things. :wink: | 
09-Mar-2004, 10:38
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,067
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Just carelessness on my part. Again. |  | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
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