WOULD HAVE – SHOULD HAVE (past tense

modals)

The simple past just tells what happened. Past modals tell what could

have, would have, and should have happened.

I would have gone to the party, but I was tired.

He should have told the truth about what he saw, however he didn’t it.

WOULD HAVE

Using “but”

Example:

I would have called, but there was no phone service.

I would have loaned you the money, but I didn’t have any.

It suggests a bad feeling about the past

If she would have been faithful… I wouldn’t have been confused.

SHOULD HAVE

Should have means that something did not happen, but we wish it had

happened. We use should have to talk about past mistakes.

Example: A worried mother might say:

“I was so worried about you. You should have called!”

In apologies.

Example:

I’m sorry that I’m late for work. I should have woken up earlier.