Should vs should have

Should vs should have

By Adriënne Riemersma

should: expressing obligation (verplichting)

Structure: should + infinitive

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We use should for the present and the future.

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You should tell them the truth.

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We use should to give advice to someone and to say that something is a good idea.Should is weaker than have to and must.

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You shouldn't smoke; it's bad for you.

I don't think you should do it.

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Should have: expressing unfulfilled obligation in the past

Structure: should + (not) have + past participle of verb

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​You should have told them the truth.

We use should have to say that someone didn't do something, but it would have been the correct thing to do it.

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​You shouldn't have gone there – it was a mistake.

I don't think you should have done it.

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​We often use should have to express regret about the past, or to say that we made a mistake.

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I’m sorry for shouting at you – I shouldn’t have raised my voice.​

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Fill in the Blank

Haven't they given you the money back yet? They (do) it last Monday.

Fill in the Blank

He (arrive) at 10, but he was almost half an hour late.

Fill in the Blank

You (finish) this project completely before you start the next one.

Fill in the Blank

You (call) them yesterday. Now it's too late.

Fill in the Blank

She (take) more exercise. It would do her good.