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3.3: Could Have and Should Have-Regret and Criticism

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    Modals Expressing Regrets and Criticism

    Sometimes we regret past actions or inactions. Sometimes we criticize others for their past actions or inactions. Modal verbs can be used to express these concepts. Look at the examples.

    1. I did not wear a jacket. Now it’s cold. I should have brought a jacket. (regret)

    2. I ate a lot of chocolate. Now my stomach hurts. I should not have eaten all the chocolate. (regret)

    3. You are late. You did not tell me. You could have called me to say you were late. (criticism)

    4. You didn’t keep my secret. You could have kept my secret! (criticism)

    Let’s look at the formation of regrets and criticism.

    Regret: Subject + should/should not + have + past participle.

    Criticism: Subject + could + have + past participle.

    Contractions: Subject + should’ve/shouldn’t have/could’ve + past participle.

    VideoFor more information on this topic, watch this video: Using Perfect Modals to Express Regrets-English Grammar

    Exercise 1 -Expressing Regret and Criticism

    Rewrite the sentences with the correct form for the modal in parentheses. Your sentences might be affirmative or negative. Use the example to guide you.

    Example: I told Jennifer my secret. She talks a lot.

    (Should) I shouldn’t have told Jennifer my secret.

    Example 2: I didn’t do my homework.

    (Should ) I should have done my homework.

    1. I have spinach in my teeth. You didn’t tell me!

    (Could)

    2. The electricity bill is late. You sent the payment through the mail.

    (Could)

    3. I made a lot of food for dinner. Now, I have a lot of leftovers.

    (Should)

    4. I didn’t bring an umbrella to class. The forecast predicted heavy rain.

    (Should)

    5. Maria waited to sign up for Political Science. Now the only instructor available has bad reviews.

    (Could)

    6. Huy’s car broke down. He was absent for class and missed an important exam. His teacher won’t let him make it up.

    (Could)

    Exercise 2-What a Mess!

    Picture-messy room.png

    Image 14 What a Mess!

    Look at the picture of Yvonne’s room. What a mess! Create 5 sentences criticizing her. What should/could/might she have done? Use the example to guide you.

    Example: Yvonne could have put her computer on her desk.

    1.

    2.

    3.

    4.

    5.

    Exercise 3-Listening Practice for Regrets and Criticism

    The weekend flew by! Listen to Rachel talk about her regrets. Follow this link for the listening.

    1. Select the activities she did.

    a. do homework

    b. call Grandma Betty

    c. call Kathy

    d. buy groceries

    e. clean the house

    f. watch the new series on Netflix

    g. do laundry

    h. go to Aysha’s house


    3.3: Could Have and Should Have-Regret and Criticism is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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