Would've, Could've, Should've
Explore everyday American remarks about past choices, missed chances, and expectations through three common contractions.
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Questions with solutions-
1. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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2. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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3. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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4. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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5. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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6. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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7. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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8. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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9. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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10. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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11. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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.
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12. ฟังแล้วพิมพ์คำตอบ
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 final. In she'd and we'd, 'd stands for had because it is followed by a past participle.