should have, could have
should have, could have, needn't have
For the past: should have done = it was a good idea, but you didn't do it; could have done = it was possible, but you didn't (or: maybe it happened); needn't have done = you did it, but it wasn't necessary.
- I should have called you.
- We could have taken the train.
- You needn't have brought food.
«Debería haber ido» is I should have gone: should have + the third form (gone, not went).
After have, use the third form (go, went, gone): should have gone, not should have went.
Also on this page: shouldn't have · needn't have · could have (if…)
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- Tom ______ to work yesterday, but he took the car.could has cycled · could have cycled · could have cycle
- We should have ______ the train instead of driving; the roads were full of traffic.took · taken · take
- I ______ to Anna's message sooner; now she thinks I'm ignoring her.should replied · should reply · should have replied
- I brought an umbrella, but the sun shone all day. I ______ it.shouldn't bring · needn't have brought · couldn't bring · mustn't have brought
- We should have ______ to the weather forecast before we went hiking.listened · listening · listen
- The company ______ cut down on plastic years ago, but it only started this year.should had · could have · needn't have · could
- Tom was rude to the shop assistant. He ______ at her.shouldn't shout · shouldn't have shout · shouldn't have shouted
- Why didn't you ask me for a lift last week? I ______ you to the airport.could have drove · could have driven · could has driven
- The company ______ more carefully about the forests, but it ignored the warnings.should have thought · should think · should have think
- We should have ______ more of our rubbish last year instead of throwing it away.recycle · recycling · recycled
- You ______ waited for me; I could have caught a later bus.needn't have · needn't to have
- We stayed late to finish the slides, but the meeting was cancelled. We ______ late.needn't have stayed · needn't to stay · needn't stay
Show the answers
- could have cyclednot could has cycled: should had, could hasnot could have cycle: should have + the plain verb
- takennot take: should have + the plain verbnot took: should have went, could have took
- should have repliednot should reply: should or could without have, for the pastnot should replied: should or could without have, for the past
- needn't have broughtnot couldn't bring: should or could without have, for the pastnot shouldn't bring: should or could without have, for the past
- listenednot listen: should have + the plain verb
- could havenot could: should or could without have, for the pastnot should had: should had, could has
- shouldn't have shoutednot shouldn't shout: should or could without have, for the pastnot shouldn't have shout: should have + the plain verb
- could have drivennot could has driven: should had, could hasnot could have drove: should have went, could have took
- should have thoughtnot should think: should or could without have, for the pastnot should have think: should have + the plain verb
- recyclednot recycle: should have + the plain verb
- needn't havenot needn't to have: needn't to have, should to
- needn't have stayednot needn't stay: should or could without have, for the pastnot needn't to stay: needn't to have, should to
Common mistakes on this point
Not: I should have went to bed earlier.
Say: I should have gone to bed earlier.
should have, could have + the third form (go, went, gone): should have gone, could have taken.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: We should have listen to the forecast.
Say: We should have listened to the forecast.
After have, the verb takes its third form: listened, cycled, driven.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I should check the forecast yesterday.
Say: I should have checked the forecast yesterday.
For the past, use should have, could have or needn't have + the third form.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: The company should had acted sooner.
Say: The company should have acted sooner.
After should, could and needn't, always have (never had or has).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: You needn't to have waited.
Say: You needn't have waited.
No to after should, could or needn't: needn't have waited.
See this mistake on its own page ›