I Correct It

Should/Would/Could/Must Have

The phrase should have used to reflect an opinion of the speaker, usually to refer to a missed opportunity or unmet need. It is an example of the conditional perfect tense. It is often abbreviated to should’ve, along with similar forms like could’ve, would’ve and must’ve:

I should’ve called you.

I should have called you.

We could’ve made it on time.

We could have made it on time.

I would’ve come earlier.

I would have come earlier.

He must’ve left it at home.

He must have left it at home.

Shouldn’t Have

It is also possible to use negated versions of these phrases:

You shouldn’t’ve bothered!

You shouldn’t have bothered!

Incorrect Phrases

Because of the similar pronunciation of have and of, especially when contracted as in should’ve, this is often written as should of:

• I should of called you.
• You must of left it at home.

Key Points

• Contractions in speech can often hide the correct full version of the phrase.
• In writing, use the full phrase should have or the contraction should’ve.
• For the negative version, there is a double contraction, e.g. shouldn’t’ve.