This post will look at “should have,” “would have,” and “could have,” paying attention to the contractions, relaxed pronunciation and how to use these constructions. We’ll start with a video from Beverley Knight, called, “Shoulda Woulda Coulda.” Pay attention to the chorus!
The above video is a great example of how to use, “should have,” “would have,” and “could have.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus:
And how I wish I, wish I’d done a little bit more,
Now ” Shoulda woulda coulda” means I’m out of time,
“Shoulda woulda coulda” can’t change your mind,
And I wonder, wonder what I’m gonna do,
“Shoulda woulda coulda” are the last words of a fool.
“Shoulda,” “woulda,” and “coulda” are examples of relaxed pronunciation. Relaxed pronunciation occurs during spoken English when syllables are slurred together. It is especially common when words are contracted, for example:
- Should have = should’ve = shoulda
- Would have = would’ve = woulda
- Could have = could’ve = coulda
The relaxed pronunciations are only used when talking and shouldn’t be written. Because of the contraction some make the mistake of saying or writing, “should of,” “would of,” and “could of.” This is wrong!
Song Meaning and Explanation.
We also see constructions using, “I wish.” “I wish I did more” talks about the present but “I wish I had done more” talks about the past. The song is therefore about the past. Saying things like, “I should have treated him/her better” or “I could have spent more time with him” are both advice and options for past events, given now.
SHOULD HAVE
“I should have bought that car.” This means that you are giving yourself late advice; advice for a past action that is over. It usually involves regret. Here are some more examples:
- “I should have studied history instead of economics” – (you regret studying economics and the better option was to study history.)
- “You should have listened to me” – (I gave you great advice but you didn’t take it; it was the best advice.)
- “Messi should have passed the ball instead of shooting” – (Messi didn’t pass the ball but that was the best option available.)
WOULD HAVE
“If Messi had passed the ball, Barcelona would have scored.” Messi didn’t pass the ball and Barcelona didn’t score. The second clause is an imaginary outcome based on the first (imaginary) clause. It is imaginary because it DIDN’T HAPPEN. This is the third conditional. Here are some more examples:
- If I had studied harder, I would have past the test.
- If I had been there, I would have said something to him.
- I would have finished it, if I had more time (NOTE – “If I had had” usually shortens to “If I had.”)
COULD HAVE
“I could have done more.” This is saying that you had the ability to more in the past, but you didn’t. “Could have” is also used to express options available in the past, “You could have bought me flowers more often, or listened to me more, or just generally paid more attention.” Here are some more examples:
- I could have done it earlier but I was lazy.
- Why did you take the bus? You could have flown or taken a train.
“Could have” is also used in the third conditional – “Barcelona could have scored, if Messi had passed the ball.”