should have done

USAGE SUMMARY

'should have done' is a correct and usable grammatical structure in written English.
You can use this phrase when something has not been done, or completed, that you think should have been done in the past. For example, "I should have done more research before applying for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As they should have done.

The Guardian - Tech

You should have done more.

Independent

He should have done better.

Independent

Or it should have done.

Independent

Perhaps you should have done.

The Economist

She certainly should have done.

Independent

It should have done.

The Guardian - Opinion

I should have done the same.

The New York Times

That's what he should have done".

The New York Times

"I think we should have done.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The whole team should have done better".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should have done" to express regret about a past action or inaction. For example, "I should have done my homework" expresses remorse for not completing the task earlier.

Common error

Avoid using "should of done"; the correct form is "should have done". "Should've" is a contraction of "should have" and is acceptable in informal writing, but always use "should have" in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have done" functions as a modal perfect construction. It expresses past regret, criticism, or unfulfilled obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have done" is a common and grammatically correct way to express regret, criticism, or unfulfilled obligation regarding a past action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction in English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business and wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, the use of contractions like "should've" can make it more informal. To avoid common errors, remember that the correct form is "should have", not "should of". Alternatives include "ought to have done" and "needed to do", depending on the desired nuance. When writing, use "should have done" to communicate that a different action in the past would have been better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have done

Formal alternative expressing a moral duty or strong expectation.

should have acted

Similar meaning, focusing on the act of performing something.

was supposed to do

Indicates an expectation or agreement that was not fulfilled.

would have been better to do

Suggests a more favorable course of action in retrospect.

needed to do

Focuses on the necessity of an action in the past.

it would have been wise to do

Indicates a missed opportunity for a prudent decision.

it was imperative to do

Highlights the critical necessity of a past action.

had to do

Emphasizes the obligation or requirement to perform an action.

it was advisable to do

Suggests a recommended but not strictly required action.

could have done

Expresses possibility or potential that was not realized.

FAQs

How to use "should have done" in a sentence?

Use "should have done" to express regret or criticism about a past action that was not taken. For example, "I "should have done" more research before investing in that company."

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

"Should have done" implies an obligation or expectation that was not met, whereas "could have done" suggests a possibility or potential that was not realized. For example, "I "should have done" my taxes on time" implies a duty, while "I "could have done" better on the test" suggests a missed opportunity.

What can I say instead of "should have done"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to have done", "needed to do", or "was supposed to do" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "should of done"?

No, "should of done" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "should have done". "Should've" is the contracted form of "should have" and is acceptable in informal writing, but not in formal writing.