171. Should and would in all of the sentences which we have quoted are used to express action or existence dependent upon some condition which is expressed in that part of the sentence introduced by such conjunctions as if and though.

The parts of the sentence introduced by these conjunctions express the condition upon which the other action is dependent. When we use should in sentences without this condition, it means practically the same as ought, and implies an obligation. We use should with the first and second and third persons when we use it with this meaning, as for example:

I should have gone yesterday. You should be with us in this fight. They should never fear defeat.

172. Ought could be used in all these sentences and express practically the same meaning. Should used in this way implies obligation.

Exercise 2

Study carefully the following sentences. Write in the blank space preceding each sentence the number of the paragraph in the lesson which governs the use of the helping verb in that sentence.

  1. ...... The workers should organize if they desire to control production.
  2. ...... The proletariat would destroy this system if they understood their power.
  3. ...... Every worker would join his fellows if he could but realize the class struggle.
  4. ...... We would all enjoy plenty if we produced for use instead of for profit.
  5. ...... The ruling class would not give up their privileges even though they knew that their cupidity endangers society.
  6. ...... The injury of one should be the injury of all.
  7. ...... The workers' International should stand for the international solidarity of the workers.
  8. ...... You should never fear the ridicule of little minds.
  9. ...... You would never fear ridicule if you were conscious of your own power.
  10. ...... No man should fear to think for himself.
  11. ...... No man would fear to think for himself if the world were truly free.
  12. ...... Compromise now would mean defeat.

MAY AND MIGHT

173. May used as a helping verb means present permission in regard to an action or possession, as: