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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Should Have /
Shouldn't Have

I should have brought an umbrella.

should have + past participle
The contrast

What happened vs what should have happened

Should have
Right thing — but it didn't happen

I should have brought an umbrella. (I didn't — and it rained)

Shouldn't have
Wrong thing — but it did happen

He shouldn't have shouted. (he did — that was wrong)

Should have

The right thing — that didn't happen

I should have brought an umbrella. (didn't bring one, got wet)
We should have left earlier. (left late, missed the bus)
He should have studied for the test. (didn't, failed)
Shouldn't have

The wrong thing — that did happen

He shouldn't have shouted at his sister. (he did shout — wrong)
They shouldn't have spent all their money. (they did spend it)
I shouldn't have eaten so much pizza. (I did — now I feel sick)
💡 All three forms
Positive

You should have told me sooner.

Negative

You shouldn't have told him the secret.

Question

Should you have told her?
→ Yes, I should have.

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

You should have study harder.

You should have studied harder.

He should has left already.

He should have left already.

She shouldn't have went to the party.

She shouldn't have gone to the party.

I should have tell you yesterday.

I should have told you yesterday.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap to reveal

Fill the gap

I got wet. I(bring)an umbrella.
He was rude. He(not / shout)
We missed the bus. We(leave)earlier.
She failed. She(study)more.
I feel terrible. I(not / eat)so much.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

He shouldn't haveA droveB so fast inC the rain, andD now the car is damaged.

Bdrove → driven

✓ should have + past participle

We should haveA booked earlier, becauseB the hotels wereC full and the price have risenD.

Dand the price have risen → and the price has risen

✓ the price is singular → has

I should of studiedA harder forB the exam, butC I spentD the whole weekend at the beach.

AI should of studied → I should have studied

✓ should have, never should of

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

I should have brought an umbrella
He shouldn't have told her the secret —
We should have left earlier.
She shouldn't have spent all her money —
Speak & write

Your turn

Use should have or shouldn't have + past participle.

Tell me something you should have done differently this week.
Name something you did recently that you shouldn't have done.
Describe a moment when you or someone else made a mistake. What should have happened instead?
What should you have studied/practiced more before today's class?
Recap

Remember this

Should have
right thing — didn't happen
Shouldn't have
wrong thing — did happen
Structure
should(n't) have + past participle
Never
"should has" or base verb

Should(n't) have + past participle — always "have", never "has".

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