should have called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have called" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express regret or indicate that someone failed to make a phone call when they should have. Example: "I should have called you earlier to discuss the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He should have called".

The New York Times

I should have called.

The New York Times - Magazine

My second: You should have called 911.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Guess I should have called first".

The New Yorker

I should have called her before.

The New Yorker

I should have called more.

The New York Times - Sports

"Somebody should have called him".

The New York Times

Should have called sooner, Lance.

The Guardian - Sport

She should have called it Neif.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They should have called it Horse Play.

The Guardian

"I should have called a timeout".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should have called" to express regret about a missed opportunity to communicate by phone. For example, "I should have called to confirm the appointment."

Common error

Avoid using "should of called", which is a common misspelling. The correct form is "should have called".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have called" functions as a past modal construction expressing regret, advice, or a missed opportunity. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its ability to convey a sense of obligation or advisability that was not followed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should have called" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey regret, suggestion, or criticism regarding a missed phone call. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in news, sports, and general conversation. While it's generally neutral in tone, it's less common in formal or scientific writing. Remember to use the correct form ("should have") to avoid the common error of "should of". Alternatives like "ought to have phoned" can be used in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have phoned

Uses "ought to" instead of "should have", implying a moral obligation.

needed to call

Emphasizes the necessity of making a call.

should have contacted

Replaces "called" with "contacted", broadening the method of communication.

it would have been better to call

Expresses the idea with a more descriptive and less direct tone.

regret not calling

Focuses on the feeling of regret associated with not making the call.

wish I had called

Expresses a wish about calling in the past.

it was advisable to call

Indicates that calling would have been a good idea.

calling would have been appropriate

Suggests that a call was the right thing to do in the situation.

failed to make a call

States the omission of calling more factually.

didn't call when they should have

A more verbose way of saying someone missed an opportunity to call.

FAQs

How do I use "should have called" in a sentence?

Use "should have called" to express regret or indicate that someone missed an opportunity to call. For example: "I should have called you earlier to discuss the details."

What's a more formal way to say "should have called"?

A more formal alternative to "should have called" is "ought to have phoned", which carries a slightly stronger sense of obligation.

What does "should have called" imply?

"Should have called" typically implies regret or the recognition that making a call would have been the better course of action. It suggests a missed opportunity or a failure to act appropriately.

Is there a difference between "should have called" and "needed to call"?

Yes, "should have called" expresses regret or a missed opportunity, while "needed to call" emphasizes the necessity of making the call. The latter focuses on the requirement more than the regret.