"Should I come up?"

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johnconstantine
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"Should I come up?"

Unread post by johnconstantine »

I heard in the conversation which somebody was knocking the door and saying " It's me. Should I come up?"
I'm confused with the usage of this structure. I don't really understand why we use "should" here? Is there anyone who can help me?
thanks in advance
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Joe
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by Joe »

We often use should to give advice (You should get your hair cut.) or seek advice (What should I wear?). In your example the speaker is asking for advice on what to do and the sense is: "Would it be a good idea if I came up?"

More about the modal verb should here
johnconstantine
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by johnconstantine »

Thanks, Joe. That was really helpful and also fruitful.
LeesaJohnson
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by LeesaJohnson »

Should is the past tense of shall in indirect speech. It is used for Duty and obligation, Conditional clauses and Possibility. We can write the sentence like this:- "It's me. May I come up?"
NiallHoughton
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by NiallHoughton »

Modal verbs. These are helping verbs, in this example it is used to make a suggestion.....other modal verbs about suggestion are
Could
May
Might
Shall.
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WilsonTan
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by WilsonTan »

I believe both are correct: Would it be a good idea if I came up? and It's me. May I come up?
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advancetutors
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Re: "Should I come up?"

Unread post by advancetutors »

-try to talk as much as you can.
-talk as fluently as possible and be spontaneous.
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