should have happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have happened" is often used in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that should have happened in the past, but did not. For example: The wedding should have happened by now, but the bride has not arrived yet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What should have happened?

The Guardian

It should have happened 25 years ago".

The New York Times

"But that should have happened already".

The New York Times

It should have happened much earlier.

The New York Times

It's something which should have happened".

The New York Times - Magazine

What should have happened here?

The Guardian

It's what should have happened".

The New York Times - Sports

This should have happened earlier.

The Guardian

But what should have happened didn't happen".

Independent

"It's something that never should have happened".

The New Yorker

That should have happened long ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should have happened", consider adding a reason or explanation to provide context and clarity to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "should have happened" without specifying what "it" refers to. Ensure the context makes it clear what event or action is being discussed to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have happened" functions as a modal construction expressing a past unrealized event. It indicates that something was expected, desired, or necessary, but did not occur. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a common way to express regret or missed opportunity. Examples in Ludwig showcase this across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should have happened" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was expected, desired, or necessary, but did not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively communicates regret or missed opportunity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register, suitable for various discussions though less common in formal or scientific writing. Remembering to provide clear context and avoiding vagueness are crucial for effective communication using this phrase. Alternatives such as "ought to have occurred" or "was supposed to happen" can offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have occurred

Replaces "should" with "ought to", offering a slightly more formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

was supposed to happen

Emphasizes the expectation or plan that was in place, differing slightly by highlighting the intended course of events.

was meant to occur

Similar to "was supposed to happen", but with a nuance suggesting a predetermined or destined outcome.

ideally, it would have happened

Adds an element of desirability or preference, indicating that the event would have been the best outcome.

it would have been better if it happened

Focuses on the improved situation that would have resulted from the event's occurrence.

it was desirable for it to happen

Highlights the wish or need for the event to have taken place, differing by emphasizing the desire.

it would have been preferable

Focuses on the preferable nature of the event occurring, differing by emphasizing the advantage of the event.

the expected outcome was

Highlights the expectation to something in the past, emphasizing the anticipation that something should have happened.

it was anticipated to happen

Shifts the focus to the anticipation surrounding the event, differing by emphasizing the feeling of expectation.

in a perfect world, it would have

Introduces a hypothetical scenario, adding a layer of idealism to the statement.

FAQs

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

Use "should have happened" to express that something desirable or expected did not occur. For example: "The meeting "should have happened" yesterday, but it was postponed."

What are some alternatives to "should have happened"?

Alternatives include "ought to have occurred", "was supposed to happen", or "was meant to occur", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "should have happened" and "could have happened"?

"Should have happened" implies a sense of obligation, expectation, or desirability, while "could have happened" suggests a possibility that did not materialize. The former expresses regret or disappointment more strongly than the latter.

Is it correct to say "should of happened" instead of "should have happened"?

No, "should of happened" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""should have happened"", where "have" is part of the auxiliary verb construction.