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matthewwoodford
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Location: Location, location, location.
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 Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:16 am Post subject: |
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Maybe 'I should wear a coat' is a contracted form of 'I should wear a coat if I were you' (where 'should' is just the old-fashioned way to say 'would', as already explained). 
It feels different tho'. It seems like stronger advice than 'I would ... if I were you'. |
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Sage Monkey
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 5:07 am Post subject: |
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| I should think the answer to this is self-evident! |
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Wisco Kid
Joined: 07 Sep 2004
Location: Changwon
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| To my american ear, the second person in the conversation sounds a bit schizophrenic. |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Sage Monkey wrote: |
| I should think the answer to this is self-evident! |
I find it strange that the people saying "this is self-evident" use an example that doesn't prove or show the grammer point.
When used "I should think" in that manner it doesn't create a conflict between you/I/should/would. |
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Sage Monkey
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| turtlepi1 wrote: |
| Sage Monkey wrote: |
| I should think the answer to this is self-evident! |
I find it strange that the people saying "this is self-evident" use an example that doesn't prove or show the grammer point.
When used "I should think" in that manner it doesn't create a conflict between you/I/should/would. |
It's you, not I, who is always asking for help with grammar. To me, the answer is self-evident.  |
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matthewwoodford
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Location: Location, location, location.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| I should hope so. |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Sage Monkey wrote: |
| turtlepi1 wrote: |
| Sage Monkey wrote: |
| I should think the answer to this is self-evident! |
I find it strange that the people saying "this is self-evident" use an example that doesn't prove or show the grammer point.
When used "I should think" in that manner it doesn't create a conflict between you/I/should/would. |
It's you, not I, who is always asking for help with grammar. To me, the answer is self-evident. |
Yes, but if you note, I wasn't asking for help about whether the grammar point was correct. (I conceded that in the opening remark.) The point was about whether it was common usage...and noting some responses I would suggest it is not.
As for always asking for help with grammar this is the first time I have asked a grammar question that goes beyond looking for very specific reference books. (and if you note the question it was more of a usage question than a grammar question.)
So perhaps if you are going to respond to a request for help it might make sense to actually offer some rather than parroting another's response that didn't get to the point. (just a thought)
Definition: Always
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1. always, ever, e'er -- (at all times; all the time and on every occasion; "I will always be there to help you"; "always arrives on time"; "there is always some pollution in the air"; "ever hoping to strike it rich"; "ever busy")
2. always, forever -- (seemingly without interruption; often and repeatedly; "always looking for faults"; "it is always raining"; "he is forever cracking jokes"; "they are forever arguing")
3. always -- (at any time or in any event; "you can always resign if you don't like it"; "you could always take a day off")
4. always -- (forever; throughout all time; "we will always be friends"; "I shall treasure it always"; "I will always love you")
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Hagwon Muppet
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 10:51 am Post subject: |
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Well to answer your question, yes it is definitely grammatically fine to say something like 'I should wear a coat' to offer advice in UK English. It is a little old-fashioned though...if you watch some of those dramas set in Victorian England or whatever you might hear it often.
So it is correct but not common. However, I wouldn't say it was unusual to hear it.
Maybe the closest comparison I could give would be the usage of 'one' when referring to yourself or any individual. Not the kind of thing you are going to hear everyday but in formal or written situations it might crop up.
You might see someone write.... 'On a cold day, one should wear a coat' .... I can't imagine anyone in the US using that though. |
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Bunnymonster
Joined: 16 Mar 2004
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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I should co-co  |
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