Would\Should

Which is more formal?

  • Total voters
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I don't think that in AE we would even use should in that context.

:(
 
In BE, you see 'shall' replace 'will' and 'should' replace 'would', but it is almost exclusively found in very formal writing. ;-)
 
tdol said:
In BE, you see 'shall' replace 'will' and 'should' replace 'would', but it is almost exclusively found in very formal writing. ;-)
Click to expand...

hi Tdol teacher:
so are you saying that both should and would are the same in the context?
 
I think he means that they mean the same thing, but they are used in different contexts.

:)
 
You're quite welcome.

:D
 
Ron's right- 'I should like' would usuallly be formal.;-)
 
RonBee is right that 'should' is not used much in NaE for this type of situation.

But for BrE, I'd say that 'should' is the more polite collocation of the two but that 'would' is also used in this fashion.

Googled, Uk sites only, we get,

Results 1 - 10 of about 919 for "I should be very grateful if".

Results 1 - 10 of about 44,100 for "I would be very grateful if".

Of course, when we do a Google.com search, 'would' blows the doors off 'should' for frequency of use.

Results 1 - 10 of about 208,000 English pages for "I would be very grateful if"

Results 1 - 10 of about 924 English pages for "I should be very grateful if".
 
Ok, i think that if we are talking about grammar tasks, the answer is Would becuase is more useful use it with the clause "If" for the conditional sentences....be happy... = )
 
I think:

Would usually, refers to future tenses.

Should refers to giving advice or orders.

In conclusion, would and should are used in diferent context

Expecting your comments;-)
 
'I should like' would usuallly be formal
Click to expand...

I am suprised that should didn't get more hits. :shock:
 
riverkid said:
RonBee is right that 'should' is not used much in NaE for this type of situation.

But for BrE, I'd say that 'should' is the more polite collocation of the two but that 'would' is also used in this fashion.

Googled, Uk sites only, we get,

Results 1 - 10 of about 919 for "I should be very grateful if".

Results 1 - 10 of about 44,100 for "I would be very grateful if".

Of course, when we do a Google.com search, 'would' blows the doors off 'should' for frequency of use.

Results 1 - 10 of about 208,000 English pages for "I would be very grateful if"

Results 1 - 10 of about 924 English pages for "I should be very grateful if".
Click to expand...

So, my friend

Would is mostly used in AE and BE??????? :?:

It's what you mean?:?:
 
the question is asking which is more formal, not which is more common......i think "should"
 
;-) Hello

I think
'I would be
is more formal and correct
 
In fact, we had better keep on writing after if. In such a condition, it seems short and insufficient to understand for some learners.


We can use the modal SHOULD to correct the mistakes or misdeeds.


A: I is a student.
B: It is a wrong sentence. You should write I am a student.
 
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