Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[puzzle]

Dear teachers,
As we know that in the structure" It's natural that..." , we use should do, but could you tell me why in the following sentence" should have done" is used, can we use "should do"?

It's quite natural that he should have been respected by the students.

Thank you very much!

[lotus]

When something is natural, it should be done that way; therefore, he should be respected by the students.


It is quite natural that he should be respected by the students.

Or

It is natural that he be respected by the students.



--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[asterix]

It is a matter of what you are trying to say; Should have been respected refers to a past action completed in the past.

Should be refers to the present tense.

It is possible for a man to have been respected in the past, but not to be respected today.
History is full of such people.