should have seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a missed opportunity or a regret about not taking action in the past. Example: "Looking back, we realize that we should have seized the chance to invest in that startup when we had the opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Svidler should have seized the opening.

The New York Times

I should have seized some opportunities; had some break-point opportunities but I didn't convert them.

The Guardian - Sport

Rather than 25... Qc5, Kramnik should have seized the high ground in the center with 25... Qe5.

The New York Times

Off the back of last week's big win in Florida, he should have seized the moment and built unstoppable momentum through Nevada, Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado.

The Guardian - Opinion

Giuliani's remarks follow a string of dismissals of international law by Trump, who last week suggested the US should have seized Iraqi oil deposits for its own profit.

The Guardian

What seems increasingly plausible, however, is that America's spooks (and maybe others' too) should have seized on the chance to piggyback on the activities of a supposedly neutral United Nations agency.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If this concept weren't already exciting enough, the media – and, in particular, Sky Sports News – have seized upon what should really just be a bureaucratic bookend and turned it into something resembling a national holiday for banter merchants, plastic fans, diehards and stats nerds alike.

Vice

Critics have seized on managerial extravagance.

The Economist

American soldiers have seized the Chingmen gate.

The New York Times

But they have seized the initiative.

The New York Times - Sports

Schools like Drexel have seized the opportunity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should have seized" to express regret or criticism about a missed opportunity. It clearly conveys that a different action would have been more beneficial in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "should have seized" when referring to a future event. This phrase is specifically for discussing past actions and missed chances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have seized" functions as a modal perfect construction expressing regret, criticism, or a missed opportunity in the past. It suggests that a different action would have been more beneficial. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase is used in various contexts, from chess strategies to political decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should have seized" is a modal verb phrase used to express regret or critique about a missed opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse sources, including news, opinion pieces and academic texts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately in past tense contexts. Remember to consider alternatives such as "could have capitalized on" for a more neutral tone, or "ought to have grasped" when emphasizing a moral imperative. By grasping these nuances, you can effectively communicate your intended meaning with precision and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have grasped

Emphasizes a moral obligation or duty to take hold of something.

could have capitalized on

Highlights the potential benefit that was missed by not taking action.

missed the opportunity to capture

Directly points out the failure to take advantage of a specific chance.

failed to take advantage of

Focuses on the inaction and its negative consequences.

neglected to secure

Suggests a lack of attention or care in not obtaining something.

passed up the chance to grab

Informal way of saying an opportunity was missed.

lost the initiative to acquire

Highlights the loss of momentum in gaining something.

forgone the possibility of obtaining

Emphasizes the permanent loss of a potential gain.

left the chance to procure

Focuses on abandonment of the occasion to get something.

didn't take the opportunity to secure

Directly states the failure to take an opportunity.

FAQs

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

Use "should have seized" to express regret or criticism about a missed opportunity. For example, "The company "should have seized" the opportunity to expand into new markets when they had the chance."

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

You can use alternatives like "ought to have grasped", "could have capitalized on", or "missed the opportunity to capture" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should have seized" or "should of seized"?

"Should have seized" is correct. "Should of seized" is a common misspelling arising from the similar pronunciation of "have" and "of."

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

"Should have seized" implies that taking the action was the correct or best course, whereas "could have seized" simply indicates that the action was possible but doesn't necessarily imply it was the right choice.