Should is mainly used to talk about obligation. Would is used to talk about past habits. Should is also used as the past form of shall and would is used as the past form of will.
Complete the following sentences using should or would.
1. Everyone …………….. wear a helmet.
We use should to show obligation.
2. When we were kids we ……………… spend hours playing caroms.
We use would to talk about past habits.
3. I told him that I ……………… probably be late.
In American English, should is not normally possible here.
4. We ……………….. be grateful for an early reply.
Note that in American English, should is not normally used in this situation.
5. ……………… I open the door?
6. If we all sang in tune, it ………………. be so bad.
In the second conditional, we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would / could / might + infinitive in the main clause.
7. ……………….. I turn the heating on?
Should is used in polite inquiries. Would is used in polite requests.
8. ………………. we invite Judy?
9. ………………… you mind moving a bit?
The expression 'would you mind' is a polite way of requesting someone to do something.
10. She ……………… be informed.
Should shows necessity.
Answers
1. Everyone should wear a helmet. (obligation)
2. When we were kids we would spend hours playing caroms. (past habits)
3. I told him that I would / should probably be late.
4. We should / would be grateful for an early reply. (Note that in American English, should is not normally used in this situation.)
5. Should I open the door?
6. If we all sang in tune, it wouldn’t be so bad.
7. Should I turn the heating on?
8. Should we invite Judy?
9. Would you mind moving a bit?
10. She should be informed.
