Modal verbs

Should vs. would

Would
Would can be used to talk about past habits, is the past of will, and is used in polite requests and in conditional sentences.

• Every evening we would play Scrabble for hours.
• I said I wouldn't be late.
• Would you mind closing the door, please?
• I would tell you if I knew the answer.

Should/would
Should/would can be used as a past form of shall/will, for example, in offers, requests, and in sentences with if.

• I mentioned that we should/would probably finish by Friday.
• I should/would be happy to show you around.
• He would like some help.
• If they could, they would have more time off.
• If you would be so kind as to follow me.

However, should is used only with the subjects I and we. For you, she, it, and they, only would is used.

• I should very much like to meet them.
• You would very much like to meet them.
  NOT: You should very much like to meet them.