English Grammar

SHOUD HAVE

You SHOULD HAVE DONE something = you didn't do it but it would have been the right thing to do.

You SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE something = you did it but it wouldn't have been the right thing to do.

It was a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn't you go? I feel sick. I shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate.

She shouldn't have been listening to our conversation.

Situation 1

I went to sleep at about 11 pm last night and I am so sleepy today! I shouldn't have gone to bed late last night.

Situation 2

I ate a lot of chocolate and now I have a terrible stomachache! I shouldn't have eaten so much chocolate.

Situation 3

You didn't attend the meeting but you should have come to the meeting. It was important. COULD HAVE

We normally use COULD HAVE for things which were possible but didn't happen. Why did you stay at a hotel when you went to New York? You could have stayed with my sister.

The situation was bad but it could have been worse.

Compare COULD and COULD HAVE:

I am so tired; I could sleep for a week (now)

I was so tired last week; I could have slept for a week (past) Situation 1

I could have faced the truth but I preferred to lie.

Situation 2

We could have traveled on vacation. We preferred to satay at home instead. Situation 3

I could have gone to the beach but my wife didn't want to.

SIMPLE PRESENT:The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.

affirmative

negative

question

I

I am.

I am not.

Am I?

he/she/it

He is.

He is not.

Is he?

you/we/they

You are.

You are not.

Are you?

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE: The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.

affirmative

negative

question

I

I am playing.

I am not playing.