English grammar
Should have, not "should of"
Write should have, could have and would have, never "of".
From the scene Should of, could of
In short
After should, could, would, must or might, write have, never of. Would've is fine in dialogue.
Your turn
Which one goes with unreal past?
Options: would have given him a kiss · should have · could have warned me
Show answer
unreal past → would have given him a kiss
How it works
In speech, should've, could've and would've sound just like "should of", so many native speakers write of by mistake.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Well, I've already told Montse she could (blank) found a less bossy editor.
Options: have · of · has
Show answer
Well, I've already told Montse she could have found a less bossy editor.
Pues ya le he dicho a Montse que podría haber encontrado una editora menos mandona.
Good to know
After should, could, would, must or might, the past form is have + past participle: should have, would have given.
Good to know
The short form with an apostrophe, would've, is fine in dialogue. Of is never correct there.
past regret (not "should of") should have
Nuria
Out loud, it sounds the same. In a book: "should have", "would have".
Dicho en voz alta, suena igual. En un libro: «should have», «would have».
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Out loud, it sounds the same. In a book: "(blank)", "would have".
Options: should have · would have given him a kiss · could have warned me
Show answer
Nuria
Out loud, it sounds the same. In a book: "should have", "would have".
Dicho en voz alta, suena igual. En un libro: «should have», «would have».
unreal past would have given him a kiss
Nuria
"Would have given him a kiss", if anything. Since when do you give Ramón kisses?
«Would have given him a kiss», en todo caso. ¿Desde cuándo le da usted besos a Ramón?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank)", if anything. Since when do you give Ramón kisses?
Options: Should have · Could have warned me · Would have given him a kiss
Show answer
Nuria
"Would have given him a kiss", if anything. Since when do you give Ramón kisses?
«Would have given him a kiss», en todo caso. ¿Desde cuándo le da usted besos a Ramón?
past possibility could have warned me
Nuria
You told her that? You could have warned me! She's my boss!
¿Le ha dicho eso? ¡Podría haberme avisado! ¡Es mi jefa!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You told her that? You (blank)! She's my boss!
Options: would have given him a kiss · could have warned me · should have
Show answer
Nuria
You told her that? You could have warned me! She's my boss!
¿Le ha dicho eso? ¡Podría haberme avisado! ¡Es mi jefa!
short form, fine in dialogue would've
Your turn
What goes with would've?
Options: short form, fine in dialogue · past regret (not "should of") · unreal past
Show answer
would've → short form, fine in dialogue
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| past regret (not "should of") | should have |
|---|---|
| unreal past | would have given him a kiss |
| past possibility | could have warned me |
| short form, fine in dialogue | would've |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWell, I've already told Montse she could have found a less bossy editor.Pues ya le he dicho a Montse que podría haber encontrado una editora menos mandona.
- ElenaBut in Madrid people have always said it that way!¡Pero si en Madrid se ha dicho así toda la vida!
- ElenaIt's fiction, dear. Fiction... most of it.Es ficción, cariño. Ficción... casi toda.