There is a kind of grammar which confused me very much called subjunctive mood. When do people use "should"? And when people use "could" or "would"? And which tense should be used in a sentence with subjunctive mood?
I just share some of my knowledge of subjunctive mood.
1.The usage of subjunctive mood in adverbial clause
a)hypothesis is contrary to the present facts
we need to use simple past tense in sub-clause, and in main clause, we use the form like "would/should/could/might + base verb"
e.g. If I were German, I could read the paper to you
b)hypothesis is contrary to the past facts
we need to use past perfect tense in sub-clause, and in main clause, we use the form like "should/might/would/could + have done"
e.g. If I had not taken your advice, I would have made a bad mistake.
c)hypothesis is contrary to the future fact
we need to use simple past tense or "should + base verb" or "were to + base verb" in sub-clause, and in main clause, we use the form like "should/might/could/could +base verb"
e.g. If it were to rain tomorrow, I would not go shopping.
If it were fine tomorrow, I would go out.
If it should rain tomorrow, what should we do?
2.The usage of subjunctive mood in noun clause
a)the verbs which mean suggest, command or request.
e.g. ...suggest/demand...+ (that) + subject + (should) do
The doctor recommended that you shouldn't swim after eating a large meal.
The General commanded that the men should fire
The doctor insisted that the patient should be X-rayed.
There are many verbs like this: suggest/order/demand/propose/request/request/command/insist/decide/require/advise/ask
b)...wish that + subject + did/had done/would do
1.hypothesis is contrary to the present or future facts
use simple past tense
2.hypothesis is contrary to the past facts
use past perfect tense
e.g. She wished she were still living with her grandmother.
I wish I had known the answer to the question
How I wish I would go to Hawaii during my vacation.
c)...would rather + subject + did/had done
1.hypothesis is contrary to the present or future facts
use simple past tense
2.hypothesis is contrary to the past facts
use past perfect tense
e.g. I would rather you came tomorrow.
I would rather you hadn't told him.
I would rather you post the letter right away.
Those are what I know about tense of subjunctive mood, they are really limited and not very accurate, maybe they can help you.
About the distinction among "should", "could" and "would", I think it depends on the context and the tone of the speaker. And "should" usually has the meaning of astonishment or blame, "would" usually has the meaning of regret or grateful, "could" means "be able to"(maybe what I think is not entirely correct )
--by Song
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