Regrets 2JuanK

Before

Before Now

The boy thought…

I’m going to be a soccer player.

I was going to be a soccer player.

I should have been a soccer player.

RegretsWe use SHOULD + HAVE + Verb in

past participle to express regrets about the past.

I had a bad grade in the math exam. I should have studied more.

I arrived late to class. The bus was too slow. I should have taken a taxi.

Mary is not happy with her husband. She should have divorced.

Susan and Jake bought a car but they don’t have where to live.

Susan and Jake should have bought a house first.

I went on vacation to England but the weather this time is awful. All the day is raining.

I should have gone to Italy instead.

May, might to speculate We speculate about the past by using

MAY or MIGHT + HAVE + Past Participle of the VERB.

If I had studied, I may/might have passed the exam.

It might have been a nice party. Too bad, the rock band canceled.

Would and Could for ability. We mention abilities by using WOULD or

COULD+ HAVE + Past Participle of the VERB.

Mark took a bad decision selling his car. He would have arrived early to work.

I never liked the idea that Sophie had sold her house. She could have been comfortable enough living downtown.

Must for conclusions. We use MUST + HAVE + Past Participle of

the VERB to express conclusions about the past.

Shyla has gotten a bad grade in the exam. The exam must have been very difficult.

Martha has sore eyes and she is so sad. She must have cried all night. Her dog is lost.