But it should have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But it should have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something was expected to happen or be done, but it did not occur. Example: "The project was due last week, but it should have been completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it should have.

The New York Times - Tech

But it should have been.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it should have been much better.

The New York Times - Arts

But it should have gone further.

The New York Times

But it should have been so much better.

Independent

But it should have done better given the conditions.

The Economist

But it should have safe havens for pedestrians.

The New York Times

But it should have come as no surprise.

The New York Times

"But it should have international recognition," he said.

The New York Times

But it should have come as no surprise to him.

The New York Times

But it should have enough room to wiggle the toes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But it should have" to express a missed expectation or a desired outcome that did not occur. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was expected or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "But it should have" when referring to present or future expectations. This phrase is specifically for past unfulfilled expectations. For present or future expectations, use "But it should" or "But it needs to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But it should have" functions as an adversative expression used to introduce a contrast or a counterpoint. It typically follows a statement indicating a certain situation or event, and then introduces the idea that something different was expected or required. Ludwig AI validates this construction as correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "But it should have" is a versatile phrase used to express a missed expectation or desired outcome in the past. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media. Remember that it is best used to express disappointment or criticism and should not be used to express an expectation in the present or future. Consider alternatives like "However, it ought to have" or "Yet, it was supposed to have" for a more formal tone. Be sure to avoid the incorrect form "But it should of", as the correct form is always "But it should have".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nevertheless, it should've had

Contraction of should have, maintaining similar meaning.

Regardless, it had to have

Focuses on the unavoidable necessity of a past action.

However, it needed to have

Emphasizes the necessity of a past action or state.

Still, it was meant to have

Similar to 'supposed to have', indicating a plan or intention.

Yet, it was supposed to have

Highlights an expectation that was not fulfilled.

Even so, it ought to have

Expresses a moral or logical obligation that was not met.

Nonetheless, it was required to have

Stresses the mandatory nature of a past condition.

Despite that, it was essential to have

Underscores the importance of something that was lacking.

All the same, it would have

Expresses what the situation would have been with something additional.

However, the ideal situation was that it would have

Expresses the ideal past situation.

FAQs

How can I use "But it should have" in a sentence?

Use "But it should have" to indicate that something was expected or desired to happen in the past, but it did not. For example, "The report was due yesterday, but it should have been submitted last week".

What's a more formal alternative to "But it should have"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "However, it ought to have" or "Yet, it was supposed to have". These alternatives provide a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated register.

Is it ever correct to say "But it should of" instead of "But it should have"?

No, "But it should of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is always "But it should have". The contraction "should've" (should have) may sound similar, but "should of" is never appropriate.

How does "But it should have" differ from "But it could have"?

"But it should have" implies an expectation or obligation that was not met, while "But it could have" ("But it could have") suggests a possibility that was not realized. The former expresses disappointment, while the latter expresses potential.