Meaning
La expresión «I should have» en inglés se utiliza para expresar arrepentimiento o una reflexión sobre algo que podríamos haber hecho de manera diferente en el pasado. Se traduce como «debería haber» en español y se emplea para hablar sobre decisiones o acciones que no se tomaron pero que, en retrospectiva, creemos que habrían sido las correctas.
Uso: Cuando decimos «I should have» seguido de un verbo en participio pasado, señalamos que había una obligación o recomendación que no cumplimos. Por ejemplo, «I should have studied more» significa «Debería haber estudiado más», sugiriendo que estudiar más habría sido beneficioso, pero no lo hicimos.
Estructura: La estructura básica es «I should have + participio pasado». El participio pasado es la forma del verbo que se utiliza para formar tiempos compuestos en inglés. Por ejemplo, en la oración «I should have called you», «called» es el participio pasado de «call».
Ejemplos adicionales:
- «I should have gone to the doctor» – Debería haber ido al doctor.
- «I should have saved more money» – Debería haber ahorrado más dinero.
- «I should have apologized» – Debería haberme disculpado.
Esta expresión es útil para reconocer y aprender de nuestros errores pasados, permitiéndonos tomar mejores decisiones en el futuro.
Today's Sentences
- I should have apologized.
- I should have ordered a drink.
- I should have eaten breakfast.
- I should have gone to bed earlier.
- I should have worn my other swimsuit.
- Writer's Note
01
I should have apologized.
Situation 1
Have you seen Anna?
You just missed her.
She left to go home.
Se fue a casa.
I should've apologized.
Why?
Did something happen?
¿Ocurrió algo?
Situation 2
Do you know what the worst feeling is?
Tell me please.
Feeling like, “I should have apologized.”
Are you saying I should say sorry before it’s too late?
02
I should have ordered a drink.
Situation 1
How was your steak?
It was perfect. Thank you.
Are you ready for the bill?
Yes, I should've ordered a drink but it’s ok.
Situation 2
This Greek Chicken Pita Wrap is amazing!
It’s really tasty.
I should've ordered a drink.
Me too.
I could really use a drink right now.
Realmente me vendría bien una bebida ahora mismo.
03
I should have eaten breakfast.
Situation 1
What’s that sound?
It was my stomach.
I should’ve eaten breakfast.
Debería haber desayunado.
Do you wanna grab an early lunch?
I’d love that.
Situation 2
I’m so hungry.
Me too.
I should've eaten breakfast.
Debería haber desayunado.
I skipped breakfast because I slept in.
Me too!
04
I should have gone to bed earlier.
Situation 1
Is it just me or do you look tired today?
I stayed up late talking to my girlfriend.
Talking or arguing?
Our conversation turned into an argument.
I should have gone to bed earlier.
Debería haberme acostado más temprano.
Situation 2
Have you seen the series on E-TV?
I was up all night catching up on the series.
I should have gone to bed earlier.
Debería haberme ido a la cama más temprano.
Isn’t it a good show?
Very thrilling and so many twists!
05
I should have worn my other swimsuit.
Situation 1
Are you ready to go for a swim?
Yes, let’s go.
Everyone is so dressed up!
I should have worn my other swimsuit.
Situation 2
I should've worn my other swimsuit.
Why? You look amazing.
The other swimsuit was trendier.
This one is just as eye-catching.
Writer's Note
"should have" + past participle = talk about actions we regret.
(To regret = to feel bad about something that happened or did not happen in the past.)
Today's sentences show the "should have" + past participle structure!
- I should have apologized.
- I should have ordered a drink.
- I should have eaten breakfast.
- I should have gone to bed earlier.
- I should have worn my other swimsuit.
Remember that "should have" = "should've" sounds like /ˈʃʊd.əv/
Create your own "should have" sentences and show them off in the comment section! ⭐You're doing great, way to go!⭐
