Fingers’ Grammar Clinic

AUDIO DR FINGERS’GRAMMAR CLINIC

Dear Dr Fingers, I have three questions for you. I hope you can help me.

1. Firstly, I saw this sentence and I would like to know what the meaning of “should” is: “If Tom should call, tell him I’ll be back at 6pm.”

2. Secondly, what is this sentence with the past tense verb

“went”? “It’s time you went.”

3. And finally, please explain why the verb “was” is singular.

I thought the word “people” was a plural word.” “Among the injured people was a three-year-old child.”

Thank you very much. Garfie (by e-mail).

Dear Garfie, Thank you very much for your e-mail. Of course, I would be delighted to help you with your difficulties. I will deal with each of your problems in the order in which you presented them to me.

1. “If Tom should call, tell him I’ll be back at 6pm.” In English, we can use “should” to introduce an element of uncertainty. Compare these two sentences, which are both very similar: a) “If Brian arrives early, please tell him to do the work.” b) “If Brian should arrive early, please tell him to do the work.” The main difference between these two sentences is that in example “b” (with “should”), the speaker feels that the possibility is smaller. Basically, the use of “should” introduces an element of uncertainty. These days, this expression is slightly antiquated and formal. 2. “It’s time you went.” We use the past tense with expressions like “it’s time”, even though the meaning is present or future. So, “it’s time you went”, means something like, “I think it is time for you to go”, or, “I think you should go”. Here is another example: ”It’s time you told me the truth”, which basically means, “I think it is time for you to tell me the truth”, or, “I think you should tell me the truth”. We often use this expression (it is time + object pronoun + past tense verb) to criticise someone, or to warn them about something. For example: “It’s about time you got up”, which means, “I think you should get up”.

3. “Among the injured people was a three-year-old child.” Yes, you are correct, “people” is plural. However, the following verb “was” is determined by the noun “a three-year-old child”. Here are some more examples: a) Among the wreckage of the ship were three gold coins. b) Among the people in the crowd was an abandoned dog.

Bye Well, I hope my explanations have put your troubled mind at rest. Now, I think it’s about time I went for a gin and tonic, otherwise known as a G & T. Yours, Dr Fingers.

Today’s class: “Should”, “it’s time...” and “among”