Grammar - Using 'Should' for Expectations and Past Regrets

Read the text and complete the activities below.

When we learn the word "should", we usually use it to give advice (e.g., You should drink more water). But did you know we can also use it to talk about our expectations or our past regrets? Let's take a look at how this works!

1. 'Should' for Expectations

We use should (or shouldn't) to say that we expect something to happen because it is logical, normal, or planned.

Examples:

• The train should arrive in ten minutes. (It is scheduled, so I expect it to happen).
• You studied really hard, so you should pass the test easily. (It is logical).
• They left an hour ago, so they shouldn't be late. (It is logical that they will be on time).

2. 'Should have' for Past Regrets and Mistakes

We use should have + past participle to talk about things that were a good idea in the past, but we didn't do them. We often use it to show regret or to criticize a mistake. To form the negative, we use shouldn't have + past participle.

Examples:

• I should have studied more for the exam. (It was a good idea, but I didn't do it).
• You should have called me when you arrived! (You didn't call me, and I am upset about it).
• We shouldn't have eaten all that cake. (We ate it, and now we feel sick).

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. The flight left on time, so it _______ at 5:00 PM.

A) should arrive

B) should have arrived

C) shouldn't arrived

2. I am so tired today. I _______ gone to bed so late last night!

A) shouldn't

B) should have

C) shouldn't have

3. You have a GPS in your car, so you _______ any problems finding the hotel.

A) shouldn't have

B) shouldn't have had

C) should have

4. We are completely lost! We _______ taken the first exit on the highway.

A) should take

B) should have taken

C) shouldn't take

5. The package was sent on Monday. It _______ be at your house by tomorrow morning.

A) should

B) should have

C) shouldn't have

Exercise 2: Gap Fill Complete the sentences using should or should have (or their negative forms) AND the verb in parentheses.

1. I (listen) to your advice yesterday, but I ignored it.

2. The movie starts in five minutes, so the theater doors (open) very soon.

3. She has no money left. She (buy) that expensive jacket.

4. The recipe is very simple, so you (have) any difficulty making it.

5. We are freezing! We (bring) our warm coats.

Exercise 3: Unscramble the Sentences Drag and drop the words into the correct order to form logical sentences.

1.

soon

The

arrive

bus

should

.

2.

have

more

I

studied

should

.

3.

pizza

eaten

have

We

shouldn't

that

.

4.

be

The

test

shouldn't

difficult

too

.

5.

told

the

truth

You

have

should

me

.