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by -O-uknow on April 16th, 2008

-O-uknow

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Why is "should you" a question but "shouldn't you" a provocation"?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on April 16th, 2008

    Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo

    Because "shouldn't you" = "you should," becoming a command in the process.

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  • by t_4_stu on April 17th, 2008

    t_4_stu

    Wide Awake Phoenix is quite right about "shouldn't you" being at least like a command, but both can be a provocation. Through one just as much as the other you could be imposing your moral/ethical/logical/etc. values and ideas. "Shouldn't you do your homework before you arrive at school?" can be just as upsetting as "Should you be dancing on that foot so soon after surgery?" Of course, to quote the BeeGees, you should be dancing...but i digress. The clear way of avoiding the imposition with "should you" is if you're asking if you should do one thing or another thing. Another way to avoid more or less pontificating is to avoid both phrases entirely (as i should try to do myself).

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