Regrets and speculation

Talk about the past that did not happen: should have, would have, must have. Lesson 35 of 58: Fluency, CEFR B2.

Regrets and criticism: should have

Should have + past participle talks about the right thing that did not happen: “I should have left earlier.” (I didn’t.) “You shouldn’t have told him.” (You did.) In speech: “should’ve”, sounding like “shoulda”.
I should have called you.
We shouldn’t have waited so long.

Imagining a different past: third conditional

If + past perfect, would have + participle: “If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train.” (I didn’t leave earlier and I missed it.) Natives say “If I’d left earlier, I’d’ve caught it.”
Mix it with now: “If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.”
If we’d known, we would have helped.
If you hadn’t reminded me, I’d have forgotten.

Guessing about the past: must have, might have, can’t have

Must have: almost sure it happened. “The lights are off: they must have left.” Might / could have: possible. “She might have missed the bus.” Can’t have: almost sure it did not. “He can’t have finished already: he only started at ten.”
You must have been exhausted. (Empathy)
They might have got lost.
She can’t have seen the email.
Tip: “You must have been tired” is a kind response to somebody’s story: it shows you imagine how they felt.

Lines to have ready

I should have told you sooner. (Apologising)
You must have been so relieved. (Empathising)
If I’d known, I would have helped. (Showing goodwill)
It could have been worse. (Looking on the bright side)
There must have been a misunderstanding. (Defusing conflict)

Your turn to speak

Talk about a decision you regret or are glad about: what happened, what you should or shouldn’t have done, and what would have happened if you had chosen differently.
I used should have / shouldn’t have
I used a third conditional
I guessed something with must have or might have

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