that should have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that should have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of expectation or obligation regarding something that was supposed to happen in the past. Example: "I believe that should have been addressed during the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ammar Malik, that should have been.

The Guardian

"It's something that should have been referred".

The Guardian

Genuine mistakes that should have been rectified.

The Guardian - Books

Short shrift, that should have been.

The Guardian

The characteristics that should have been read.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

The characteristics that should have been read  .

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

In retrospect, that should have surprised nobody.

Huffington Post

That should have been it.

The New York Times

"That should have been reversed".

Independent

That should have been euros!

The New York Times

That should have been enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that should have" to express a missed opportunity or a correction in hindsight. It is effective for pointing out what ideally should have occurred in a specific situation.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "that should have". Ensure the main verb following "have" is in the past participle form (e.g., "That should have been done", not "That should have be done").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that should have" functions as a modal construction expressing past hypothetical obligation or expectation. It indicates that something was ideally supposed to happen but did not, often implying a sense of regret or correction. Ludwig AI confirms that usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that should have" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a past hypothetical obligation or expectation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's frequently found in News & Media, and serves to highlight a missed opportunity or necessary action. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense agreement and consider alternatives like "that was supposed to happen" for variety. Avoid the incorrect form "that should of". Proper usage will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that ought to have

Substitutes "should" with "ought", maintaining the sense of moral obligation or expectation.

that was supposed to happen

Replaces the modal "should have" with a more direct expression of expectation.

that was meant to be

Implies a predetermined outcome that did not occur, similar to a missed expectation.

that needed to happen

Emphasizes the necessity of a past action that did not take place.

that was required

Focuses on the mandatory nature of a past action, highlighting its absence.

it would have been better if

Expresses a preference for a different past outcome, implying the current situation is less desirable.

it would have been wise to

Similar to "it was advisable to have", emphasizing the prudence of a different past action.

it was advisable to have

Highlights the recommended nature of a past action, suggesting it would have been wise.

it was important that

Stresses the significance of a past action that was not carried out.

it was crucial for

Emphasizes the critical nature of a past action that was not carried out.

FAQs

How do I use "that should have" in a sentence?

Use "that should have" to indicate something that was expected or necessary to happen in the past but did not. For example, "The package should have arrived yesterday" suggests the package was expected but didn't arrive.

What are some alternatives to "that should have"?

You can use alternatives like "that was supposed to happen", "that ought to have", or "that was meant to be" depending on the context.

Is "that should of" grammatically correct instead of "that should have"?

No, "that should of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "that should have". "Of" is a preposition, while "have" is an auxiliary verb used to form the perfect tenses.

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

"That should have" implies an obligation or expectation that was not met. "That could have", on the other hand, suggests a possibility that existed but did not materialize. For instance, "That should have been finished" indicates it was required, while "That could have been finished" implies it was possible but not certain.