should have charged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have charged" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a belief that a charge or fee was warranted in a past situation but was not applied. Example: "After reviewing the services provided, I realized that we should have charged the client more for the additional work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"Should have charged more".

The New York Times

It seemed obvious now that we should have charged more.

The New Yorker

("I should have charged him," the choreographer Robert La Fosse said).

The New Yorker

IT won't happen now, but all along they should have charged admission to New York.

The New York Times

The effective interest rate the government should have charged would have been infinity.

The New Yorker

In that case (of a resale making a profit) I've messed up because I haven't priced it right – I should have charged more in the first place".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

She added: "There is no doubt in my mind that anyone planting an incendiary device in a department store is guilty of a very serious crime and should have charges brought against them.

The Guardian

Those found to be either negligent in carrying out their duties or complicit in providing outright falsehoods, should have charges filed against them or dismissed from their governmental posts.

Huffington Post

Unpack the box that your phone came in it should have: Charger, Sim Card, Memory Card (If Included) Earphones (If Included) Instruction Booklets, Mobile Telephone.

WikiHow

Should Mike Piazza have charged the mound to take on Rocket?

The Guardian - Sport

It is anticipated that the ZnO CS composites should have positively charged outer surface and will interact with negatively charged HA by electrostatic attraction.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should have charged", ensure the context clearly indicates why a higher fee or charge was warranted. Provide specific reasons or justifications to support the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "should have charged" without providing a clear reason or context. Statements lacking justification can sound presumptuous or accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have charged" functions as a modal verb construction expressing regret, criticism, or a suggestion about a past action that was not taken. It indicates a belief that a different action (charging a fee or amount) would have been more appropriate or beneficial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have charged" is a common construction used to express regret or criticism about a past pricing decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as shown by Ludwig, it carries a neutral register, suitable for discussions about missed financial opportunities or disagreements over pricing. Alternatives like "ought to have billed" or "could have invoiced" offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to avoid sounding presumptuous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have billed more

Emphasizes the amount that should have been charged.

ought to have billed

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a moral obligation rather than just a suggestion.

could have invoiced

Substitutes "charged" with "invoiced", emphasizing the act of sending a bill.

failed to charge enough

Indicates a deficiency in the amount charged.

ought to have priced higher

Focuses on the pricing strategy that should have been employed.

could have asked for more money

Highlights the act of requesting a higher payment.

deserved a higher fee

Expresses that a larger payment was justified.

should have levied a greater fee

Uses "levied" to suggest an official or imposed charge.

should have demanded more payment

Suggests a more assertive approach to requesting payment.

were undercharged

Shifts the perspective to the recipient of the charge.

FAQs

How can I use "should have charged" in a sentence?

Use "should have charged" to express that a different, usually higher, price or fee was appropriate in a past situation. For example, "Given the complexity of the project, we "should have charged" more."

What are some alternatives to "should have charged"?

Alternatives include "ought to have billed", "could have invoiced", or "should have billed more", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "should have charged" and "could have charged"?

"Should have charged" implies a stronger sense of appropriateness or justification, suggesting that it was the right or fair thing to do. "Could have charged" simply indicates that it was a possibility.

Is it always appropriate to say "should have charged"?

No, ensure that you have a valid reason or justification for believing a different charge was warranted. Using it without proper context can come across as entitled or unfair.