Should Have

Express regret, criticism, and unfulfilled expectations about the past

What is Should Have?

"Should have" (+ past participle) expresses regret, criticism, or advice about the past. It means something was the right thing to do, but it didn't happen. It's often used to express disappointment or to criticize past actions.

Compare: "You should study" (present advice) vs. "You should have studied" (past regret - you didn't study, and now it's too late).

When to Use

1. Regret About the Past (What Was the Right Thing to Do)

I should have studied harder for the exam. (I didn't, and I regret it)
You should have told me the truth.
She should have accepted the job offer.
We should have left earlier. (we were late)
They should have called before coming.
I should have listened to your advice.

2. Criticism About Past Actions

You shouldn't have said that! (criticism)
He shouldn't have lied to them.
She should have been more careful.
They shouldn't have spent so much money.
You should have asked for permission first.
He shouldn't have driven after drinking.

3. Unfulfilled Expectations (What We Expected to Happen)

The package should have arrived by now. (it was expected, but it hasn't)
She should have finished the work already.
They should have called by now.
The train should have left 10 minutes ago.
You should have received my email yesterday.

4. Deduction About the Past (What Must Have Been True)

It's 10 AM. He should have woken up by now. (logical assumption)
With the traffic, they should have arrived hours ago.
After 10 years of practice, she should have mastered it.
With that preparation, you should have passed easily.

5. Giving Retrospective Advice

You should have seen a doctor sooner. (advice about the past)
We should have bought travel insurance.
They should have made a backup.
I should have brought an umbrella.

Formation

Positive: Subject + should have + past participle

I should have gone earlier.
You should have called me.
She should have studied more.
We should have waited longer.
They should have asked first.
It should have been easier.

Negative: Subject + should not have (shouldn't have) + past participle

I shouldn't have said that.
You shouldn't have lied to them.
She shouldn't have quit her job.
We shouldn't have trusted him.
They shouldn't have left so early.

Question: Should + subject + have + past participle?

Should I have called you?
Should she have told him the truth?
What should I have done?
Should we have waited longer?

Common Mistakes

❌ I should have went. → ✅ I should have gone. (past participle, not simple past)
❌ You should of called. → ✅ You should have called. (not "of"!)
❌ She should had studied. → ✅ She should have studied. (not "had")
❌ I should have to go. → ✅ I should have gone.
❌ You shouldn't have say that. → ✅ You shouldn't have said that.
❌ Should you have call? → ✅ Should you have called?
❌ They should have be there. → ✅ They should have been there.
❌ I shouldn't have ate so much. → ✅ I shouldn't have eaten so much.

Practice Tips

📝 Pronunciation: In speech, "should have" sounds like "should've" (NOT "should of"). Write "should have," say "should've."
🎯 Past participle: Always use past participle after "should have." Gone, done, been, seen, taken (NOT go, do, be, see, take).
😔 Expressing regret: "I should have..." is very common for expressing personal regret. Practice: "I should have listened," "I shouldn't have..."
⚖️ Compare modals: "Should have" = advice/regret (right thing to do). "Could have" = possibility (had the option). "Must have" = certainty (logical conclusion).
💬 Common phrases: "You should have known better," "I should have seen it coming," "We should have known," "You shouldn't have!"