Fill in the blanks with would or should.
1. The postman …………………. be here soon.
We use should to indicate possibility.
2. …………………………. we invite Mark?
We use should to ask for a suggestion.
3. She ………………………… be told.
We use should to express necessity.
4. People …………………….. drive more carefully.
We use should to express necessity.
5. You …………………………… do things like that.
6. I …………………………. come tomorrow if I got time.
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.
Both would and should can be used with the first person pronouns with little difference of meaning.
8. ……………………………. you like some help?
We use would in polite offers and requests.
9. ……………………………. I go and see the police?
10. I knew that I ………………………… talk to her, but it seemed too difficult.
Should indicates necessity or obligation.
11. I …………………………. have sent the money this morning, but I forgot.
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 have is often used to talk about unwanted things that happened.
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.
