Should have...
Subject + should have + past participle verb phrase
This is used to to say that, in the past, someone should have acted differently.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: go to Tunisia
Different event: go to Morocco
A: How was your holiday?
B: I didn't like it.
A: Where did you go?
B: We went to Tunisia. We should have gone to Morocco.
Review
Please look at this lesson on how to use 'should' if you do not know it.
​
Subject + should + present tense verb phrase
​
This is used to give advice for events in the future.
Past
Now
Future
go to Morocco
You should go to Morocco.
Should vs Should have
Should
Should have
Past
Now
Future
Past
Now
You should go to Morocco.
​
-
Advice for the future
-
Event has not happened yet
You should have gone to Morocco.
​
-
Advice on the past
-
The event has happened
-
Did you go to Morocco? No.
Future
Explain
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: have a pizza
Better event: have a burger
-
The event was in the past
-
The subject had a pizza
-
The speaker advises the subject
I should have had a burger.
Conversation
​
A: How was dinner?
B: It was nice to see my friends but the food wasn't good.
A: What did you have?
B: I had a pizza but I should have had a burger. They looked delicious.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watch a film
Better event: read a book
-
The event was in the past
-
The subject watched a film
-
The speaker advises the subject that they should have read a book
You should have read a book.
Conversation
​
A: What did you do last night?
B: I watched a terrible film. It was called The Big Sick. Have you seen it?
A: I haven't no. You should have read a book.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: did not pick their friend up from the airport
Advised event: pick them up
-
The event was in the past
-
The subject did not pick their friend up from the airport
-
The speaker advises the subject that should have picked their friend up from the airport
You should have picked your friend up from the airport.
Conversation
​
A: What time is Becky getting here?
B: I'm not sure. She hasn't called from the train.
A: Why didn't you pick her up?
B: I was too busy.
A: You should have picked your friend up from the airport.
Verbs
Vocabulary
Particular performances of a play, musical, piece of music etc.
Practice
A: Did you see that the exhibition has closed?
B: Oh no! I couldn't get tickets. Did you go?
A: Yes, it was incredible. You should have gone yesterday.
A: I didn't see The Rolling Stones last week.
B: At Wembley? I saw them. You should have seen them. They were amazing.
A: I can't believe you didn't listen to the football last night.
B: I heard it was a great game.
A:
Answer
I should have listened to it.
A: The new production of the famous musical, Les Miserable, is opening tomorrow.
B: I saw the production in New York. It was so good.
A:
Answer
I should have seen it when I was in New York.
A: Where's David?
B: He's gone to Thailand on holiday.
A: Oh that's right.
B: You've been to Thailand, haven't you. Did you tell him about things to do?
A: No,
Answer
I should have recommend things to do.
Should have - negative
Subject + should not have + past participle verb phrase
Explain
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: had a pizza
Advised event: not the actual event
-
The event was in the past
-
The subject had a pizza
-
The speaker advises the subject
You should not have had a pizza.
Conversation
​
A: How was dinner?
B: It was nice to see my friends but the food wasn't good.
A: What did you have?
B: I had a pizza.
A: You shouldn't have had a pizza. You should have had a burger.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watched that film
Advised event: not to watch that film
-
The event was in the past
-
The subject watched that film
-
The speaker advises the subject that they should not have watched that film
You should not have watched that film.
Conversation
​
A: What did you do last night?
B: I watched a terrible film. It was called The Big Sick. Have you seen it?
A: Yes, I told you it was terrible. You shouldn't have watched it.
Practice
A: Did you go to see Jamie's new play?
B: I did and I shouldn't have gone.
A: Why?
B: It was about me!!
A: What did you do last night?
B: Jack and I watched a film he recommended.
A: Was it good?
B: Jack loved it but it wasn't very funny. Jack shouldn't have enjoyed it that much.
A: How was your holiday?
B: It was lovely thank you.
A: Did you go to the musical we recommended?
B: No, it was closed when we were there. I was disappointed to not see it.
A: Oh, I'm sorry.
Answer
We shouldn't have recommend it.
A: [yawns]
B: Tired?
A: Yes, I'm sorry. I went to a gig last night and it finished really late.
​
B: It's the weekend tomorrow so you can rest.
Answer
I shouldn't have gone.
Should have - Questions (?)
Direct
Direct questions ask the listener for a 'yes' or 'no' answer.​
Should + subject + have + past participle verb phrase
Conversations
A: I threw away my daughter's homework yesterday.
B: Should you have done that?
A: No. She was very angry.
​
A: I went to a student play last weekend.
B: Should you have gone?
A: Not really. It wasn't very good.
​
A: My husband heard a terrible conversation between his boss and his secretary.
B: Should he have listened to it?
A: Yes, it was great gossip.
To ask the speaker their opinion you could add 'do you think' at the front.
Do you think + subject + should + have + past participle verb phrase
Do you think you should have done that?
Do you think you should have gone?
Do you think he should have listened?
Indirect
Question word + should + subject + have + past participle phrase
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: had a pizza
Advised event: ????
What should I have had?
Conversation
​
A: I had a pizza last night.
B: At the restaurant I recommended?
A: Yes. I didn't enjoy it.
B: Yeah, the pizza isn't nice.
A: What should I have had?
B: Definitely a burger.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: gone to the exhibition
Advised event: ????
Where should I have gone?
Conversation
​
A: Did you go to the exhibition on holiday?
B: Yes. I shouldn't have gone. It wasn't interesting.
A: You should've gone somewhere else.
B: Where should I have gone?
A: The aquarium is very good.
Past
Now
Future
Actual event: watched The Godfather
Advised event: ????
Answer
What should I have watched?
A: Where's David this week?
B: He's gone to France on holiday?
A: Oh, that's right. Did you recommend anywhere?
B: Yes, I recommended a restaurant near the Eiffel Tower.
A: Really? It's so expensive around there?
B: Well,
Answer
where should I have recommend?
A: Did you go to a music festival this summer?
B: Yes, I went to Glastonbury and saw The Flaming Lips.
A: Did you? I was there and saw someone else while The Flaming Lips were playing. They were much better.
B:
A: The Rolling Stones.
​
Answer
Who should I have seen?