Would've, Could've, Should've

by Vocafy Verifisert

Engelsk (US) B2 12 spørsmål Words & expressions

Explore short American conversations about past choices, missed chances, and expectations through three common contractions.

1. 1. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   An unexpected change in the weather. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • I should've brought a jacket. It's colder than I expected.

   Should've expresses regret about a past choice: bringing a jacket would have been a better decision.

2. 2. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   Finding a better parking spot too late. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • We could've parked behind the restaurant. There were plenty of spaces.

   Could've describes an available option that wasn't used. It doesn't necessarily mean the original choice was wrong.

3. 3. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   Work gets in the way of a social plan. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • I would've joined you if I hadn't been working.

   Would've shows willingness under different circumstances. The if-clause explains what prevented the person from joining.

4. 4. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   A delivery is taking longer than expected. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • We paid for express shipping, so the package should've arrived by now.

   Should've can express an expectation, not just regret. Here, the faster shipping service makes arrival seem overdue.

5. 5. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   An errand that could have helped a friend. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • I could've picked up your groceries if you'd told me. I was already at the store.

   Could've describes help that was possible but didn't happen. The speaker had the opportunity but lacked the information.

6. 6. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   A plan is blocked by unavailable tickets. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • I would've bought tickets, but the show was sold out.

   A sentence with would've doesn't always need an if-clause. The sold-out show explains why the intended purchase never happened.

7. 7. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   Looking back on a decision about social media. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • You should've asked her before posting that photo.

   Directed at another person, should've can sound critical. Here, it points to a missed responsibility to ask permission.

8. 8. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   A risky driving decision causes concern. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • You could've hit someone when you backed out without looking. Luckily, no one was behind you.

   Could've can describe a possible bad outcome. The second sentence confirms that the harm did not actually happen.

9. 9. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

   A guest explains a considerate choice. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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   • We would've stayed for dinner if you hadn't seemed so tired.

   Hadn't seemed describes the opposite of what the guests noticed. Their impression of the host's tiredness influenced their decision.

10. 10. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

    Someone suggests a reason for a missed meeting. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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    • He could've misunderstood the meeting time; nobody actually confirmed it with him.

    Here, could've offers an uncertain explanation about the past, rather than describing an unused opportunity.

11. 11. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

    A team reflects on recognition and fairness. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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    • We should've credited Maya for the idea, even though we did most of the work.

    Even though introduces a contrast: doing most of the work doesn't remove the responsibility to recognize someone else's idea.

12. 12. Lytt og skriv inn svaret.

    Important information arrives after a commitment. Past modal forms use the spellings would've, could've, and should've.

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    • I would've changed my mind if she'd raised that concern earlier, but by then we'd already signed the contract.

    By then marks a point when the decision was already complete. She'd and we'd both mean had here because they introduce past participles.