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English
24
Grammar Tips
2nd August 2003
Hi
guys
Well you certainly have no excuses for not doing your homework this
month! I know from my secret agents dotted around Italy that the
majority of you are on holiday. So naturally with your best interests
at heart, I thought that after indulging in all that sun, sand and
surf you could unwind in the evenings with a spot of grammar homework.
Nothing too strenuous mind, we do want you to recharge your batteries
while you're getting away from it all! But as we have a soft spot
for you all, we don't want any of you to forget to give your English
a little polishing while you're letting your hair down and having
the time of your lives. So here we are again with should. But first
just a couple of reminders on last week's should grammar tip, before
you get back to chewing the fat with your deckchair companions or
just sitting watching the world go by with your aperitif in hand…
(Yes, ok I am jealous!!) And so to work..
Last
week we focussed on using should in the following ways:
To give advice or to say what we think is a good thing to do or
the right thing to do
§ You should go to see the latest Wim Wenders film; I've heard
it's very good. (meaning it would be a good idea to go to see the
film)
§ The government should do something about the state of education.
We
use shouldn't do something to say that something isn't a
good thing to do.
§ You shouldn't smoke; it's bad for your health.
We
also use should to say that something isn't right or not what we
expect:
§ Those children shouldn't be hanging around the park.
They should be at school.
We
use should have (done) to say that someone did the wrong
thing or to talk about past events which may or may not have happened.
§
You shouldn't have called Simon an idiot; he's very upset about
it.
§ We could still call her, it's only 6 o'clock, she shouldn't
have left the office yet.
§ I'm feeling so hung over. I shouldn't have drunk all those
Bacardi Breezers last night!
§ I should have phoned Jimmy this morning, but I completely
forgot.
§ It's 3 o'clock. She should have arrived at the office before
now.
Ok,
so after that brief recap, it's time to go to this week's use of
should.
We can use should to say that something will probably happen.
§ Do you think you'll be late for dinner tonight?
> No, I don't think so; I should be home for dinner at the usual
time!
I
should be home…. means I will probably be home
We
use should to say what will probably happen
§ He's been studying very hard for his degree, so he should
pass his exams with flying colours. (with a very high grade; very
well)
§ I should be finishing work at 8pm, so we can meet for a drink
at 8.30pm if you like?
§ I should be there by 10, so don't keep me waiting.
We can use should to say that something is probable (because it
is logical or normal):
§ Sarah should be home soon - she finished work at 5pm.
§ "We're spending Xmas and New Year in Australia."
"That should be nice"
The
other way we used should in this week's lesson was with if …..
should:
§ If you should see Joanne this afternoon, would you tell her
to give me a ring?
This is similar to "if you see Joanne" but with should
the speaker is less certain.
§ If it should rain, could you bring the washing in from the
garden for me?
§ If Tim should ring, tell him to meet me at the Coach and
Horses on the High Street
Practice
Exercises
Exercise
1
Use should to say that you think something will happen.
e.g. Do you think Fergus will pass his exams?
Yes, he should pass his exams with flying colours (very well) as
he has studied very hard all year long.
1.
Do you think Joanne will get that job she had the interview for?
Yes, she ___ definitely ___ (get) the position, she has all the
right qualifications and personal qualities necessary for the job.
2. Do you think Inter will win the league this year?
> They _____ (win) the league this year, because they've got
a strong attacking side this season.
3.Do you think £500 is enough spending money for a week in
London?
< Yeah it _________ (be) more than enough for a week in London.
4. Do you think Labour will (win) the next general election after
all the sleaze surrounding the government at the moment?
> Yeah they should win again at the next general election, if
only because there's no valid alternative at present.
Exercise 2
In this exercise use if …. should….
E.g. I don't know if you'll be seeing Jacqui this evening, but if
you should see her, can you ask her to give me a ring?
1.
I know you don't like asking for help, but _____________a hand with
the painting and decorating, give me a call.
2. I don't think my wife will telephone me this afternoon, but ______,
tell her I'm in a meeting.
3. I don't know if you'll be passing a post box on your way to work,
but _____ one, would you post this letter for me.
4. I don't think Eddie will fancy coming to the party, but _______
it, tell him he's more than welcome.
That
was simple, wasn't it?
And you thought it was all over!!!!!!! It ain't over 'til the fat
lady sings!!! Didn't you know???? Because last but not least comes
the hard bit! Go back to the message at the top of the first page
and see how many idiomatic expressions or collocations you can find
and write them down in a list.
Next week we will give you the full list of expressions so you can
evaluate how good you are!
Answers
to the practice exercise are below…
Answers
Exercise 1
1.should definitely get
2.should win
3.should be more than enough
4.should win
Exercise
2
1. if you should need a hand
2. if she should call/telephone
3. if you should pass
4. if he should fancy
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