Like say you are asking something like: "I should have eaten breakfast today..." I read a lot of people who write "I SHOULD OF eaten today..." which is correct? I thought the first one was...
Silly question, I know!
2007-12-30 07:20:11 · 9 answers · asked by dianah 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
"Should have" is correct.
The word "have" is a present perfect tense marker that comes before the main verb (for example, "eaten" in the sentence above). "Should of" doesn't work grammatically or logically.
People write "should of" because that's what they hear. The sound of "should've" sounds similar to that of "should of." But you have to pay attention to what actually makes sense.
2007-12-30 07:30:04 · answer #1 · answered by Mike G 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The correct wording is should have.
People are becoming less able to discern correct speech, and many will say it is due to texting.
I think it is a combination of that and laziness.
Have a Happy New Year.
2007-12-30 07:29:51 · answer #2 · answered by Sue F 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
should have
It's not a silly question. It's nice to see someone take an interest in the English language for change.
2007-12-30 07:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by No Shortage 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's "I should have". The misunderstanding comes from the contraction "should've" which sounds a lot like "should of". Don't worry, it's a common and understandable misconception.
2007-12-30 07:56:01 · answer #4 · answered by Vega 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps the only thing worse than "should of" is using "shudda" or similar spellings.
2007-12-30 07:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by Alain 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"should have"
sometimes when people say "have", they don't emphasize the "h", which is why it sounds like "of".
but should "have" is the correct grammar :)
2007-12-30 07:58:55 · answer #6 · answered by stacy m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should HAVE -- should've is the contraction for Should HAVE.
2007-12-30 07:27:32 · answer #7 · answered by Chelsea 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
should have
anything else is wrong and yucky.
just saying.
2007-12-30 07:24:47 · answer #8 · answered by rosends 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Should have.
2007-12-30 07:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋