Poll: 'Should' can replace 'would' in formal English for 'I' and 'we'.

'Should' can replace 'would' in formal English for 'I' and 'we'.

I agree
I disagree

Votes: 491
Comments: 10
Added: August 2003

Comments:

G - 9th January 2004 11:18
"Should you want to do that," I don't think so.
 
Joan - 15th January 2004 01:29
In a formal letter, you can write 'I should be grateful...'. in British English.
 
## - 14th December 2004 02:06
It can, but I don't like it much.
 
Martin - 3rd May 2006 00:59
I'm confuzzled at the question. Arn't should and would completly two different meaning words? How can you then just change them and not change the meaning of the sentance.
 
RonBee - 25th November 2006 06:46
I'm confuzzled at the question too.
;-)
 
thebooklass - 23rd February 2009 21:36
"Should" suggests that the person's actions are expected but does not mean that that is what they do, say, feel, etc... It suggests obligation. "Would" means an action is a certainty.
 
Amelia - 18th January 2010 04:36
I believe it can, but not in all sentences.
 
Tom - 8th February 2010 19:25
G - 9th January 2004 11:18
"Should you want to do that," I don't think so.
------------------------------------
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Dear G,
the question is:
'Should' can replace 'would' in formal English for 'I' and 'WE'. Not for 'you'!. So, yes, it can...
 
Salim Jaramillo - 24th June 2010 18:32
I think that it shouldn't be done because it would change the meaning. Plus it wouldn't make sense to new learnerīs who are just developing English concepts. I disagree
 
chris - 5th December 2011 06:05
I think it's acceptable in formal British English, but I'm Australian and you're not likely to hear 'should' being used in place of 'would' here.
 
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