English grammar
Should have / shouldn't have + past participle (criticising the past)
Say what someone should (not) have done, and what you would (never) have done.
From the scene You should have saved it
In short
Should have + participle: it was right but didn't happen. Shouldn't have + participle: it happened but was wrong.
Your turn
Which one goes with wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle?
Options: you shouldn't have left your coffee there · you should have saved them in two places! · Nuria should have been more careful
Show answer
wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle → you shouldn't have left your coffee there
How it works
Should have + past participle = it was the right thing to do, but it didn't happen: you should have saved them in two places.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And you (blank) have left your coffee next to the computer.
Options: shouldn't to · shouldn't · don't should
Show answer
And you shouldn't have left your coffee next to the computer.
Y usted no debería haber dejado su café al lado del ordenador.
Good to know
Shouldn't have = it happened, but it was wrong. Compare would have, for what you imagine you'd have done: I'd never have left a coffee there.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
We (blank) called Javi from the start.
Options: should have · should has · would should have
Show answer
We should have called Javi from the start.
Deberíamos haber llamado a Javi desde el principio.
right thing, not done: should have + participle you should have saved them in two places!
Ramón
My scenes? You should have saved them in two places!
¿Mis escenas? ¡Deberías haberlas guardado en dos sitios!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
My scenes? (blank)!
Options: Nuria should have been more careful · You should have saved them in two places · You shouldn't have left your coffee there
Show answer
Ramón
My scenes? You should have saved them in two places!
¿Mis escenas? ¡Deberías haberlas guardado en dos sitios!
wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle you shouldn't have left your coffee there
Your turn
What goes with you shouldn't have left your coffee there?
Options: should have been + adjective · wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle · right thing, not done: should have + participle
Show answer
you shouldn't have left your coffee there → wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle
should have been + adjective Nuria should have been more careful
Ramón
Well... Nuria should have been more careful.
Bueno... Nuria debería haber tenido más cuidado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well... (blank).
Options: You should have saved them in two places · You shouldn't have left your coffee there · Nuria should have been more careful
Show answer
Ramón
Well... Nuria should have been more careful.
Bueno... Nuria debería haber tenido más cuidado.
(recap) imagining: I'd never have + participle I'd never have left a coffee there
Your turn
What goes with I'd never have left a coffee there?
Options: wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle · (recap) imagining: I'd never have + participle · right thing, not done: should have + participle
Show answer
I'd never have left a coffee there → (recap) imagining: I'd never have + participle
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
| right thing, not done: should have + participle | you should have saved them in two places! |
|---|---|
| wrong thing, done: shouldn't have + participle | you shouldn't have left your coffee there |
| should have been + adjective | Nuria should have been more careful |
| (recap) imagining: I'd never have + participle | I'd never have left a coffee there |
More lines from the story
- ElenaAnd you shouldn't have left your coffee next to the computer.Y usted no debería haber dejado su café al lado del ordenador.
- ElenaWe should have called Javi from the start.Deberíamos haber llamado a Javi desde el principio.
- ElenaWell, the mug says "Ramón".Pues la taza dice «Ramón».
- NuriaOK, enough. We're all a bit to blame.Vale, ya está. Todos tenemos un poco de culpa.