Sentences of Unreal Condition

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Vecta

#563846 Mon, 08 Sep 08 06:26 PM

Here is one sentence-example from my grammar book:

"I should kill myself today if I didn't believe that tyranny and injustice must end."

My grammar book says that should is used with the first person singular and plural, would is used with the second and third persons singular and plural.

But may be I can use would:

"I would kill myself today if I didn't believe that tyranny and injustice must end."

Is the last sentence correct too?

Vecta

Joined on Sun, Jun 22 2008

Ukraine

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Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Grammar, Plurals, Unreal Condition

Cool Breeze

#563869 Mon, 08 Sep 08 07:23 PM

Vecta
"I would kill myself today if I didn't believe that tyranny and injustice must end."

Is the last sentence correct too?

Yes. Your grammar book must be very old. Some elderly British people may still use should instead of would in sentences like yours, but would is very common even in British English. Some young Americans might consider your sentence wrong!

Should is used in a number of ways but the most common use is this: If you want to catch your train, you should leave now. (= It would be a good idea for you to leave now.)