Would Or Should
Fill in the blanks with would or should.
1. The postman …………………. be here soon.
should
would
We use should to indicate possibility.
2. …………………………. we invite Mark?
Should
Would
We use should to ask for a suggestion.
3. She ………………………… be told.
should
would
We use should to express necessity.
4. People …………………….. drive more carefully.
would
should
We use should to express necessity.
5. You …………………………… do things like that.
wouldn’t
shouldn’t
6. I …………………………. come tomorrow if I got time.
would
should
In the second conditional, we use a past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the
main clause.
7. I ………………………………. be grateful for an early reply.
would
should
Either could be used here
Both would and should can be used with the first person pronouns with little difference of
meaning.
8. ……………………………. you like some help?
Would
Should
Either could be used here
We use would in polite offers and requests.
9. ……………………………. I go and see the police?
Should
Would
Either could be used here
10. I knew that I ………………………… talk to her, but it seemed too
difficult.
would
should
Either could be used here
Should indicates necessity or obligation.
11. I …………………………. have sent the money this morning, but I forgot.
should
would
Should have is often used to talk about past events that did not happen.
12. You ……………………………. have shouted at her – it really upset her.
should not
would not
Either could be used here
Should not have is often used to talk about unwanted things that happened.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. The postman should be here soon.
2. Should we invite Mark?
3. She should be told.
4. People should drive more carefully.
5. You shouldn’t do things like that.
6. I would come tomorrow if I got time.
7. I would / should be grateful for an early reply.
8. Would you like some help?
9. Should I go and see the police?
10. I knew that I should talk to her, but it seemed too difficult.
11. I should have sent the money this morning, but I forgot.
12. You should not have shouted at her – it really upset her.