Should: That I should see a child of mine arrested for...

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teacher,

Please read:

1. That I should see a child of mine arrested for selling drugs!

2. Why should I help him?

What is the meaning of "should"?
What is the meaning of "That"?

Quoc

[Alan]

Hi,

That I should see ....

That here is anticipating the main sentence and understood is an unseen part which would perhaps continue: is very hard to believe.

Should in the first sentence is an example of the imaginary past or past subjunctive.

Should in the second sentence means roughly the same as ought.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tom]