I don´t know what´s the correct use of "should" in a question. Could you help me?
When I say "I should go?" is it correct? or it should be "should I go?" or "shal I go?". I think my problem it´s about syntax, isn´t it? I want to write natural but also proper.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 14
3
Hi, Youali!
Laureli answered the question perfectly. I just want to add that we often don't use "I should go" as a question unless we're questioning someone's suggestion. For example:
Person A: "If your house is on fire, what should you do?"
Person B: "I should go?"
Person A: "Exactly! You should leave your house!"
I hope my answer helps =)
2
While you can certainly use "I should go?" as a question, more often I hear it as a statement. If you are asking somebody if you should leave, using "Should I go" sounds a little more natural. "Shall I go?" is somewhat more formal.
1
Hi Youali,
You presented three interrogative sentences:
A: I should go?
B: Should I go?
C: Shall I go?
When we present a question, it is a convention to start with the verb before the subject. For example: May (verb) I (pronoun/subject) be excused? (Correct) VS I (pronoun/subject) may (verb) be excused? (Incorrect).
Such a concept is known as "inversion", and is also commonly used in other situations such as reporting someone's speech.
For example:
Mary asked, "Should (verb) we (pronoun) proceed with the discussion?" (Direct speech)
[Sentence B follows the positions of the verb and pronoun in the direct speech, as it is a question directly from you.]
Mary asked if/whether they (pronoun) should (verb) proceed with the discussion. (Reported speech)
[Notice that the positions of the pronoun and verb are swapped.]
In view of this, sentence A is grammatically wrong while sentence B is grammatically sound.
Sentence A can still be grammatically sound if it is a declarative statement: "I should go." In this case, you are making a decision on your own to leave.
In sentence C, you are asking about the possibility of going somewhere in the future.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Lance
0
If you are asking you friend for a pieces of advice use : Should I go ?
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
