should have started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have started" is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an idea about something that should have been done in the past, but wasn't. For example: "I should have started studying for the exam earlier, but I kept putting it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They should have started earlier".

The New York Times

Gerrard should have started on Tuesday.

Independent

"Maybe I should have started serving lefty".

The New York Times - Sports

We should have started sooner.

The Guardian - Tech

"I probably never should have started it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I should have started with that line," he said.

The New York Times

Maybe we should have started from the back.

The New York Times

"I should have started with that line," Mr. Romney quipped.

The New York Times

We should have started over with this convoluted passage.

The New York Times

Maybe, but you should have started long before today.

The New York Times - Food

No. Do I think we should have started this earlier?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should have started", ensure the context clearly indicates what action is being referred to and why it's beneficial it was started sooner. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "should of started" as it's a common misspelling and grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "should have started".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have started" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing regret, recommendation, or a missed opportunity for an action that should have been initiated earlier. Ludwig examples show diverse applications of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have started" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that it would have been better if an action had begun earlier. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It frequently appears in News & Media and Academia contexts, expressing regret, providing recommendations, or highlighting missed opportunities. The phrase is versatile and suitable for various registers, with a neutral tone. Common errors include misspellings like "should of started", which should be avoided. Related phrases, such as "ought to have begun", offer more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have begun

Uses a more formal auxiliary verb "ought to" instead of "should", indicating a similar degree of obligation or advisability.

should have initiated sooner

Substitutes "started" with "initiated" and "earlier" with "sooner" for a slightly more formal tone.

needed to commence earlier

Replaces "should have" with "needed to", emphasizing necessity, and "started" with "commence", increasing formality.

it would have been better to begin

Shifts the structure to express what would have been a preferable action in the past.

it was advisable to have started

Emphasizes the advisability of a past action using a more descriptive structure.

they were supposed to have started

Indicates an expectation or plan that was not fulfilled, similar to a missed opportunity.

the process should have been underway

Focuses on the state of the process rather than the action of starting, implying a delay.

earlier action was necessary

Highlights the necessity of starting earlier, simplifying the original phrase.

initiation should have occurred

Rephrases to emphasize that the initiation of something was necessary

the commencement should have happened

Rephrases to emphasize that the commencement of something was necessary

FAQs

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

Use "should have started" to express regret or a missed opportunity. For example, "I "should have started" saving money earlier" indicates regret for not beginning to save money in the past.

What's a more formal alternative to "should have started"?

A more formal alternative is "ought to have begun". For example, "The investigation "ought to have begun" sooner" sounds more formal than using "should have started".

What does "should have started" imply?

"Should have started" implies that it would have been better or more advantageous if an action had been initiated earlier. It often carries a tone of regret or a suggestion for future actions.

Is there a difference between "should have started" and "could have started"?

Yes, "should have started" implies an obligation or advisability that was not followed, while "could have started" suggests a possibility that was not realized. The former carries more weight of regret or missed opportunity.