Should Have (Past Obligation Unfulfilled)
Use `should have` to talk about past actions that were a good idea but did not happen.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use it for past regrets and missed actions.
- Form it with `should` + `have` + `past participle`.
- It means the action did not happen.
- Never use `should of` in writing.
Quick Reference
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + should + have + V3 | I should have stayed. |
| Negative | Subject + shouldn't + have + V3 | He shouldn't have lied. |
| Question | Should + Subject + have + V3? | Should they have called? |
| Short Form | Subject + should've + V3 | You've should've told me. |
| Advice | You + should + have + V3 | You should have eaten. |
| Regret | I + should + have + V3 | I should have known. |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 8I should have studied for the test.
Debí haber estudiado para el examen.
You should have told me the truth.
Deberías haberme dicho la verdad.
She shouldn't have bought that expensive car.
Ella no debería haber comprado ese coche caro.
Pronunciation Secret
In fast English, `should have` sounds like `should-uv`. Practice saying it fast to sound like a native speaker!
The 'Of' Trap
Never write `should of`. It is a common mistake because it sounds like `should've`. Always use `have`.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Use it for past regrets and missed actions.
- Form it with `should` + `have` + `past participle`.
- It means the action did not happen.
- Never use `should of` in writing.
Overview
Have you ever felt regret? Maybe you woke up late. Maybe you forgot your keys. We use should have for these moments. It talks about the past. It talks about things that did not happen. It is like a time machine for your words. You look back and see a better choice. But you cannot change it now. That is why we call it "unfulfilled." It is a very human way to speak. We all make small mistakes every day. This grammar helps you share those feelings. It makes your English sound natural and honest.
How This Grammar Works
This rule is for looking at the past. Imagine a path you did not take. You had a good idea or a duty. But you did not do it. Now you feel a little sad. Or maybe you want to help a friend. You use should have to point at that missed chance. It is a bridge to the past. But it is a bridge you cannot cross. You are standing in the "now." You are looking at a "then." If you say "I should have studied," it means you did not study. The action is missing. That is the "unfulfilled" part of the rule. It is a way to link a past action to a present feeling.
Formation Pattern
- 1Start with the subject like
I,you, orthey. - 2Add the word
shouldfor the advice part. - 3Add the word
have. This never changes tohas! - 4Add the
past participleof your verb. - 5For example:
I+should+have+eaten. - 6For negatives: Use
should not haveorshouldn't have. - 7For questions: Put
shouldat the start. "ShouldIhavecalled?" - 8In speech,
should haveoften sounds likeshould-uv. People write this asshould've. It is very common in movies and songs.
When To Use It
Use it for your own regrets. "I should have slept more." Now you are tired at work. Use it for giving past advice. "You should have taken the bus." Now your friend is stuck in traffic. Use it for missed opportunities. "We should have gone to that concert." It was amazing! You can use it when ordering food. "I should have ordered the pizza." Your salad looks boring. It is also great for job interviews. "I should have researched the company more." It shows you learn from your mistakes. Think of it like a helpful ghost. It haunts the things you did not do.
When Not To Use It
Do not use it for the future. For tomorrow, just use should. "I should go tomorrow." Do not use it for things you actually did. If you went to the gym, do not say you should have gone. That would be confusing! Do not use has with he or she. Even for a king, it is he should have. Do not use it for simple facts about the past. Use it only for choices, ideas, or duties. It is about "what if," not "what was."
Common Mistakes
Many people write should of. This is a big mistake! It sounds like of when we speak fast. But the word is always have. Even your computer might get this wrong sometimes. Another mistake is using the base verb. Do not say "I should have go." You must say "I should have gone." Always use the past participle. Sometimes people forget the have entirely. "I should gone" sounds like a broken robot. Don't worry, even native speakers mess this up. But now you know the secret. Keep the have and use the right verb form.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Should is for now or later. It is a compass for your future. Should have is a mirror for your past. It only looks backward. Must have is different too. Use must have when you are sure of a fact. "He must have left." (I see his car is gone). Should have is about a missed duty. "He should have left." (But he is still here!). It is the difference between a guess and a regret. Think of should as a warning. Think of should have as a lesson. Both are useful, but they live in different times.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use shouldn't have for good things?
A. Yes! "You shouldn't have bought me a gift!" It means you are happy but surprised.
Q. Is it okay for formal emails?
A. Yes, it is very professional. It shows you know how to fix a problem.
Q. How do I remember the verb form?
A. It is the same form as the present perfect. Like have seen or have done.
Reference Table
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + should + have + V3 | I should have stayed. |
| Negative | Subject + shouldn't + have + V3 | He shouldn't have lied. |
| Question | Should + Subject + have + V3? | Should they have called? |
| Short Form | Subject + should've + V3 | You've should've told me. |
| Advice | You + should + have + V3 | You should have eaten. |
| Regret | I + should + have + V3 | I should have known. |
Pronunciation Secret
In fast English, `should have` sounds like `should-uv`. Practice saying it fast to sound like a native speaker!
The 'Of' Trap
Never write `should of`. It is a common mistake because it sounds like `should've`. Always use `have`.
Verb Checklist
Think of `should have` as a sandwich. `Should` and `have` are the bread. The `past participle` is the filling. You need all three!
Polite Complaints
English speakers use `should have` to complain politely. Instead of saying 'You are late,' they say 'You should have been here earlier.'
Beispiele
8I should have studied for the test.
Focus: studied
Debí haber estudiado para el examen.
I didn't study, and now I'm worried.
You should have told me the truth.
Focus: told
Deberías haberme dicho la verdad.
You lied in the past.
She shouldn't have bought that expensive car.
Focus: shouldn't have bought
Ella no debería haber comprado ese coche caro.
She bought it, and it was a mistake.
The train should have arrived ten minutes ago.
Focus: arrived
El tren debería haber llegado hace diez minutos.
It is late now.
✗ I should have go → ✓ I should have gone.
Focus: gone
Debí haber ido.
Always use the past participle.
✗ You should of called → ✓ You should have called.
Focus: have
Deberías haber llamado.
It's never 'of', always 'have'.
We should have contacted the client earlier.
Focus: contacted
Deberíamos haber contactado al cliente antes.
Professional regret about a delay.
You should have come to the party with us!
Focus: come
¡Deberías haber venido a la fiesta con nosotros!
You missed a fun event.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct past form of the verb.
I'm so tired. I should ___ (go) to bed earlier last night.
We use `should have` + `past participle`. `Gone` is the past participle of `go`.
Choose the correct negative form.
It's raining! We ___ (not/have) left our umbrellas at home.
The negative is `shouldn't have`. Never use `of`.
Complete the advice for the past.
You got lost? You ___ (have) used the map.
To give advice about a past mistake, use `should have`.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Should vs. Should Have
Do I need 'Should Have'?
Did the action happen?
Was it a bad idea?
Did you do it anyway?
Common Scenarios
Travel
- • Should have checked the time
- • Should have packed a coat
Social
- • Should have called back
- • Should have said hello
Work
- • Should have sent the email
- • Should have been on time
Häufig gestellte Fragen
22 FragenIt means the action did not happen. If I should have called, it means I did not call.
Usually, yes, because it's about regret. But it can also be used for surprised happiness, like a surprise party.
Yes, you can use it to give advice about their past. "You should have told me!"
Put should at the very beginning. "Should I have brought a gift?"
It's because should've and should of sound exactly the same. People write what they hear, but it is grammatically wrong.
No, it never changes. Even for he, she, or it, you always use have.
It is the third form of a verb. For example: go (1), went (2), gone (3).
No, you cannot. For future advice, just use the word should.
Yes, you can say shouldn't have. Most people use this when they speak.
Then do not use should have. Use the simple past. "I went to the party."
It is better to write should have in formal papers. Should've is better for emails or texts.
Should have is about a mistake or duty. Must have is a strong guess about a fact.
Yes, it is common to talk about history or people from the past. "He should have been king."
Think about your day yesterday. Write down three things you wish you did differently using should have.
It can be a little bit strong. Use it with friends or when you are trying to solve a problem together.
Check a verb list! Most regular verbs just end in -ed, like should have worked.
No, could have means it was possible. Should have means it was a good idea or a duty.
Yes. "It should have rained yesterday, but it was sunny."
The past participle of be is been. "I should have been more careful."
It is very common! You will hear it in almost every English conversation about the past.
Listen for it in movies. Characters use it every time they make a big mistake!
Because the 'dream' or 'plan' of the action was never completed. It stayed in your head.
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