HELP!!having trouble with the question form of would/should have done

Forums:
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Hi,
I'm having trouble with the question form of would /should have done.

I came across this sentence"Would it have killed you to give me that?" and wonder the difference between it and " would it kill you to give me that?"
Under what circumstances will you use each of them?

My 2nd question is can anyone tell me the meaning of "Should they have been so strict with their children?" so are "they" strict to their children or not? is the question discussing whether they should be more strict as they are currently not?

thank you!!!!!!!!!

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 244 • Replies: 2

No top replies

@stoneqr,

the first is asking about a situation from the past; the second, one in the present

your second question is saying they were strict, and asking if they should have been.

the question implies nothing of whether they should be more strict, or whether they currently are.

0 Replies

@stoneqr,

1. A matter of tense. With the first you could presently be dead, speaking to a fella in a coffin who had actually been killed of course, in one way or another. Maybe his estranged wife was listening

2. Stone that's a very good q. Ordinarily, yes, they had been strict. To establish one of the other two meanings satisfactorily might require more words

Eg, Should they have been so strict with their children as the Jones were with theirs...

0 Replies

Forums
» HELP!!having trouble with the question form of would/should have done

Read Question
Reply to All

HELP!!having trouble with the question form of would/should have done

Quick Links

My Account

able2know