5.204 You can say that someone prefers one situation to another by using would rather or would sooner.
He would rather have left it.
She’d rather be left alone.
I’d sooner walk than do any of these things.
wishes: would have
5.205 If you want to say that someone wanted something to happen, although it did not happen, you use would have and an -ed participle.
I would have liked to hear more from the patient.
She would have liked to remain just where she was.
5.206 Another way of saying that you want something is to use wouldn’t with a verb or expression that is normally used to refuse something, such as mind or object to.
I wouldn’t mind being a manager of a store.
‘Drink, Ted?’ – ‘I wouldn’t say no, Bryan.’
regret: would that
5.207 In very old-fashioned English, would is used without a subject to express a wish that a situation might be different, or to express regret that something did not happen in the past. Would is followed by a that-clause.
‘Are they better off now than they were two years ago?’ – ‘Would that they were.’
Would that the developments had been so easy.
When I, he, she, or it is the subject of the that-clause, the verb is usually were, not was.
Would that you were here tonight.
Two years ago we were told that they would be much better off by now. Would that they were.
hopes and wishes: may
5.208 In very formal English, may is used to express a hope or wish.
Long may they continue to do it.
May he justify our hopes and rise to the top.
Indicating importance
5.209 Modals can be used in declarative sentences to say that it is important that something is done. Different modals indicate different degrees of importance.
importance: must
5.210 Must is used in three common ways to talk about the importance of doing something.
You use must with you or we to urge someone to do something, because you feel it is important. Must not is used to urge someone not to do something.
You must come at once.
We must accept the truth about ourselves.
You must not worry.
You mustn’t let her suffer for it.
Have to, have got to, and need to can be used instead of must to talk about the importance of doing something. This is explained in paragraphs 5.242 and 5.243.
You use must to say that something is required by a rule or law.
People who qualify must apply within six months.
European Community standards must be met.
You use must to say that it is necessary that something happens or is done, in order that something else can happen.
Meadows must have rain.
To travel properly you must have a valid ticket.
necessity: will have to, will need to
5.211 If you want to say that an action will be necessary in the future, you use will have to or will need to.
They will have to pay for the repairs.
Mr Smith will have to make the funeral arrangements.
You will need to cover it with some kind of sheeting.
Electric clocks will need to be reset.
necessity: shall have to
5.212 Shall have to is sometimes used instead of will have to after I or we.
I shall have to speak about that to Peter.
We shall have to assume that you are right.
importance: should and ought to
5.213 Should and ought to are used in three different ways when you are talking about the importance of doing something.
You use should or ought to when you are trying to help someone by advising them to do something.
Carbon steel knives should be wiped clean after use.
You should claim your pension 3-4 months before you retire.
You ought to try a different approach.
You use should or ought to when you are saying that something is the right or correct thing to do.
We should send her a postcard.
The judges should offer constructive criticism.
We ought to stay with him.
You ought not to do that.
You use should or ought to with have and an -ed participle to say that something was desirable in the past, although it did not in fact happen.
One sailor should have been asleep and one on watch.
We ought to have stayed in tonight.
A more junior member of staff ought to have done the work.
You also use should and ought to to say that you expect something to happen. This use is explained in paragraph 5.131.
Introducing what you are going to say
5.214 Sometimes you introduce what you are going to say by using a modal followed by a verb such as say or ask that refers to the act of saying something. You can also combine a modal with a verb such as think or believe that refers to the holding of an opinion.
You use a modal in order to sound more polite, or to show your feelings about what you are going to say.