“Should have” + past participle talks about the past: something that was a good idea but did not happen (should have), or something that happened but was a mistake (shouldn’t have). It expresses regret or criticism.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| subject + should have + past participle | You should have called me. |
| subject + shouldn't have + past participle | I shouldn't have said that. |
When to use it
- Regret about yourself: I should have taken the job.
- Criticism of others: You should have asked first.
- A past mistake: He shouldn't have driven so fast.
- Expectation that something has happened by now: The package should have arrived.
Examples
- You should have told me earlier.
- I shouldn't have eaten so much.
- She should have studied harder.
- We shouldn't have gone out in the rain.
- They should have arrived by now.
- Should I have called him?
Common mistakes
- The base verb instead of the participle: should have go → should have gone.
- “Should of” (a spoken form): write should have / should’ve.
- Using “should” for the past without “have”: You should call me yesterday → You should have called me yesterday.