Should vs. If
'Should' and 'if' can be used interchangeably in conditional mood. In this lesson, we will learn more about them.
What Is Their Main Difference?
The main difference between 'should' and 'if' is that 'should' is a modal verb while 'if' is a conjunction.
Modal Verb Should
'Should' is a modal verb (also known as modal). Modals give additional information about the main verb. 'Should' is used to talk about possibilities, give advice, make suggestions, etc. For instance:
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Conjunction If
'If' is a subordinating conjunction that is used in conditional mood. It shows that X happens and as a result Y will happen. In other words, Y happens because of X. Have a look:
Are They Interchangeable?
'Should' can replace 'if' without changing the meaning of the sentences. However, 'if' cannot always replace 'should' as 'should' has other uses.
To talk about conditions with 'should,' we follow the pattern illustrated below:
- Should + subject + base verb + …
Compare:
If and Should in One Sentence
'If' and 'should' can be used in one sentence, only when 'should' is used as a modal verb and not as an alternative for 'if.' For instance:
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