Note. Would I? is confined, for the most part, to questions in which one repeats the words or thought of another. Thus,—“You would give five dollars for a ticket.” “Would I? No, I wouldn’t!” In this use it is chiefly colloquial.
III. Should you? and Would you? in questions:—
- 1. Should you drown if the boat were to capsize? [Yes, I should drown, for I do not know how to swim.]
- 2. Should you despair if this plan were a failure? [No, I should not, for I have other resources.]
- 3. Should you think that ten yards of velvet would be enough? [Yes, I should think so.]
- 4. Should you be offended if I were to speak frankly? [No, I should not be offended.]
- 5. Should you wish to examine the plans again before deciding? [Yes, I should (see note under I, above).]
- 6. Would you wear a hat or a cap? [I would wear a cap if I were you.]
- 7. Would you study Greek if you were in my place? [Yes, I would.]
- 8. Would you accept my apology if it were offered? [Certainly, I would accept it gladly.]
- 9. Would you be so kind as to lend me your compasses? [Certainly I would lend them, if I had not lost them.]
- 10. Would you allow me to use your name as a reference? [I would.]
The choice between should and would in these sentences corresponds to the form expected in the answer ([§ 238]).
299. The chief occasions on which Would you? is correct are:—(1) in asking advice in a matter of doubt, and (2) in asking consent or permission.
In examples 6 and 7 in [§ 298], III, the speaker asks advice; in 8, 9, and 10, he asks consent or permission.
300. Note that the proper forms are I should like, Should I like? and Should you like?
- I should like to read that book.
- Should I like to go to Rome? Indeed, I should.
- Should you like to receive a copy of our catalogue? [I should like to receive one.]
Note. Would is very common in these phrases, even among writers of repute, but it is still contrary to the best usage. The reason for should is the same as in I should wish ([§ 298], I, note).
301. I’d and we’d are contractions of I would and we would. Hence they can never stand for I should and we should ([§ 235]).