Should Would Could

8/3/2019 Should Would Could

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Should is used to give advice and make recommendations and to talk about obligation,

duty and what is expected to happen. Reference is to the present and the future. Should is

similar to must but is not as strong as must:

You shouldalways wear a helmetwhen you go out cycling on busy roads.

Once the pack is opened, the cooked meat insideshouldbeconsumedwithin three

days. Should I tell herthat her son is playing truant and skipping school? ~ I thinkyou

should. She should knowabout it.would

If we want to talk about an unreal or unlikely situation that might arise now or in the

future, we use a past tense in the if-clause andwould + infinitive in the main clause.

Compare the following and note that would is often abbreviated to 'd:

How would you manage, if I wasn't here to help you? ~I'd manage somehow.I

wouldn't botherto cook.I'd go outto eat or bring home a take-away.I'd

askyour mother to help me with the washing and the ironing. I knowshe'dhelp me.

couldCould can be used to ask for permission, to make a request and express ability in the

past. Compare the following:

Could Iborrow your black dress for the formal dinner tomorrow? ~ Of course

you can!

Could you do me a favour and pick Pete up from the station? ~ Of course I will!

I couldalreadyswim by the time I was three. ~ Could you really? I couldn't swim

until I was eight.

Could:

Ask for permission: could I brow your dictionary?Request: could you say it again more slowly?Suggestion: We could try to fix it tomorrow.

Future possibility: I think we could have another Gulf war

Ability in the past: He gave up his old jobs so he could work for us

Should:

Saying whats right or correct : we should sort out this problem at once.

Recommending action: I think we should check it again.

Uncertain prediction: profit should increase next year.

Would

Ask for permission: would you mind if I brought a couleage with me.Request: Would you pass the salt.

Would you mind waiting for a moment.

Making agreement: would three oclock suits you? Thatd be fine.

Invitation: Would you like to play golf this Friday?


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Preference: Would you like to take tea or coofee? Id like to tea please.

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has

continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all

durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.Examples:

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes? James has been teaching at the university since June.

We have been waiting here for over two hours!

Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two

weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often

use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.Examples:

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Have you been exercising lately?

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

Lisa has not been practicing her English.

Writing notes:

Thank you notes:

Dear _______,

Thank you so much for the sweater. It is so soft that I feel like you have sent me 100hugs. When the weather gets colder , Ill definitely have you in my thought. Thank you

for your kindness.

I was almost afraid of to open your gift because it was so wonderfully wrapped. The

paper and the bow were just lovely! I want to thank you for thinking of me and sendingthe gift. Only you could think such a gift. Your generosity and kindness will always be

remembered.


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Dear abc,

Hi! My name is Jose Carchi. Im from Ecuador. Ive lived in United State for 10 years.Im a student of ESL class.

Thank you for your efforts.

We appreciate your service to the U.S.A. I hope you return safety and I hope you comehome soon. I am praying for all of you.

Sincerely,

Jose Carchi

Dear aaaa,

Hi teacher. I listened today to hear that your mom had a broken leg. I am sad for you.

My aunt broke her leg too ten months ago. For a long time she was at home. I hope yourmom recuperates. Soon and I hope you come back to English class soon.

Sincerely,

Min Kim

Dear aaaa,

I am sorry for your mom. I hope she will be well soon. Dont worryeverything will beokay. Please dont do hard things and stay in her home and rest. It was very hard for me

to hear about your family.

Sincerely,

Jose Carchi

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Should Would Could