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Can somebody please tell me , why in American English, we say:

"...OK, thanks! I should be going. Goodbye!"

instead of

"...OK, thanks! I should go. Goodbye!"

It does make more sense to me to use the latter.

or a similar one:

"I think I am going to have to talk to her."

instead of

"I think I have to talk to her".

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  • english.stackexchange.com/questions/203090/… english.stackexchange.com/questions/392176/… english.stackexchange.com/questions/168367/… english.stackexchange.com/questions/65730/… and more
    – Stuart F
    Commented Sep 4 at 10:27
  • Why do you call the former as "continuous future tense" and the latter as "present tense"? If the first is "future tense", so is the latter.
    – JK2
    Commented Sep 4 at 11:49
  • 2
    There is an overlap between culture and language. For English, an extra word here and there adds politeness by being less abrupt: "You're fired." "Get out." You are right that the difference in meaning is small, but padding smooths the message. "I came I saw I conquered" becomes Since arriving, I saw what there was to take in, conquering whatever I could, but that's just me.
    – Yosef Baskin
    Commented Sep 4 at 12:27
  • 2
    Yosef is spot on. Even "...OK, thanks! I should be going. Goodbye!" Sounds abrupt, dismissive. I'd add more padding, including reflective pauses and a mitigating 'but' to concede one is unilaterally changing the subject: "... OK, thanks! But I really must be going now.... So ... I'll see you, then!" ['Goodbye', especially when stressed, has a perhaps over-formal, over-final ring to it. Other sign-offs are available and far more common.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Sep 4 at 12:27
  • 2
    ... Though I’m voting to close this question, but only because I believe it's a better fit for Interpersonal Skills.SE. It's a very good question.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Sep 4 at 12:31

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