[General] Should you decide .. =If you should decide ...？

[LiuJing]

Should you decide to come to our city for a visit, please do let us know.

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I know the above sentence is correct English. But someone tells me that it equates 'If you should decide to come to our city for a visit, please do let us know'. I find the 'if you should' pattern stilted. Do we use 'if you should + verb ' pattern?

 

[Barb_D]

Personally, I use only "If."

If you have any questions, ...
If you decide to visit, ...
If you are able to join us, ...
If you would like to participate, ...

 

[Rover_KE]

Both versions mean the same and neither sounds stilted.

Rover

 

[LiuJing]

Both versions mean the same and neither sounds stilted.

Rover

Can the following equation be valid?
Should you decide to come, ...=If you decide to come,...

 

[5jj]

Can the following equation be valid?
Should you decide to come, ...=If you decide to come,...

Yes, as Barb suggested.

 

[LiuJing]

Yes, as Barb suggested.

Then, what is the difference between 'if you decide to come' and 'if you should decide to come'? One notion is that when 'should' is added, the author means that it is unlikely to happen. Is that so?

 

[5jj]

Then, what is the difference between 'if you decide to come' and 'if you should decide to come'? One notion is that when 'should' is added, the author means that it is unlikely to happen. Is that so?

I feel that with 'if you should come' the speaker' views the possibility of 'you' coming as less likely than with 'if you come', but I am not sure that all native speakers would feel the same.

 

[bhaisahab]

I feel that with 'if you should come' the speaker' views the possibility of 'you' coming as less likely than with 'if you come', but I am not sure that all native speakers would feel the same.

I feel the same.;-)

 

[MrPedantic]

I would be more likely to take the "(if you) should..." form as an expression of unlikeliness where there was an emphasis on the "should":

1. If you should decide to come, we would of course make every effort to cater for your peculiar needs.

Elsewhere, it might also convey the kind of impersonal politeness we would expect from medical personnel and anti-virus software support staff, e.g.

2. Should you experience any unpleasant side-effects, please contact your doctor immediately.

3. If you should require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk. Though we are experiencing an unusually high volume of calls for the remaining 90 days of your subscription, and are therefore unlikely to respond.

Best wishes,

MrP