ZdenSvk
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2023
- Location
- Nitra
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Slovak
- Home Country
- Slovak Republic
- Current Location
- Slovak Republic
Hello,
While reading Seneca's 5th letter I found this strange conditional sentence.
Quote: "The mere name of philosophy, however quietly pursued, is an object of sufficient scorn; and what would happen if we should begin to separate ourselves from the customs of our fellow-men?"
I understand that is is a question about conditional sentence: "If we begin to separate, we will be, as philosophers, scorn even more". I understand the auxiliary verb "would", meaning here "what is the likelihood of happening...". But what about should? I don't remember ever seeing it used like that. Is this usage common or not? Can anybody explain its usage here?
Have a nice
Zdenko
While reading Seneca's 5th letter I found this strange conditional sentence.
Quote: "The mere name of philosophy, however quietly pursued, is an object of sufficient scorn; and what would happen if we should begin to separate ourselves from the customs of our fellow-men?"
I understand that is is a question about conditional sentence: "If we begin to separate, we will be, as philosophers, scorn even more". I understand the auxiliary verb "would", meaning here "what is the likelihood of happening...". But what about should? I don't remember ever seeing it used like that. Is this usage common or not? Can anybody explain its usage here?
Have a nice
Zdenko