should have worked

USAGE SUMMARY

'should have worked' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that didn't happen, but that you expected to happen. For example, "I should have worked harder on the project, but I didn't realize it was so important until afterward".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The transfer should have worked brilliantly.

The New York Times - Arts

They should have worked like us".

The New York Times - Magazine

(In which case the apple should have worked).

The New York Times - Magazine

I guess he should have worked with Lady Gaga.

The Guardian - Arts

He said he should have worked with the Legislature instead.

The New York Times

Anyway, that's how it should have worked out.

The New Yorker

That's something we should have worked out a little better.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I should have worked on my fitness.

The Guardian - Travel

"You should have worked here for the night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In retrospect I should have worked at school.

The Guardian

It should have worked: great stars, great story, right?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In argumentative writing, use "should have worked" to present a counterfactual argument, suggesting that a different course of action might have led to a more desirable outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "should have worked" when you actually mean something is currently working. "Should have" refers to a past unrealized possibility, not a current state. If it's working now, use a present tense form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have worked" functions as a modal perfect construction, expressing a past unrealized possibility or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. Examples in Ludwig illustrate diverse scenarios where something was anticipated to function but did not.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should have worked" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express past unrealized expectations or possibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct, and Ludwig presents numerous examples across various contexts. This phrase appears most frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles. When using "should have worked", ensure that you are referring to a past situation where something was expected but ultimately failed to function as intended. Avoid confusing it with present tense usages or other modal verbs expressing different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have succeeded

Emphasizes a moral obligation or expectation of success, similar to "should have worked" but with a stronger sense of duty.

was expected to function

Focuses on the expectation of functionality rather than the implied success or completion.

was supposed to be effective

Highlights an expectation of effectiveness with a slightly less formal tone than "should have worked".

was designed to operate

Highlights the design aspect and intended operation, differing from the implication of actual work being done.

was intended to perform

Similar to 'was designed to operate', it stresses the intended action or outcome.

it would have been successful

Shifts the emphasis to the success or positive outcome that was expected.

was meant to be operational

Emphasizes the intention for something to be in working order, shifting the focus from successful completion.

it was anticipated to perform well

Emphasises that the action would be done well, with a slightly more formal tone than "should have worked".

it was planned to function

Places emphasis on the planning stage, implying a prior intention that may not have been realised.

it was slated to operate

Uses "slated" to indicate a scheduled operation, differing from the implication of actual work being done or completed.

FAQs

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

"Should have worked" is used to express that something was expected to happen or be successful in the past, but it didn't. For example, "The new software should have worked, but it crashed repeatedly".

What's a less formal way to say "should have worked"?

Less formal alternatives include "was supposed to work" or "was meant to work". For example, "The device was supposed to work, but it didn't".

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

"Should have worked" is the correct form. "Should of worked" is a common error resulting from mishearing the contraction "should've".

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

"Should have worked" implies an expectation or plan that didn't succeed, while "could have worked" suggests a possibility that wasn't explored. For example, 'The plan should have worked' means it was expected to, whereas 'The plan could have worked' means it was a possible option.