Hi everyone. I'm Jennifer from English with Jennifer. Let me ask you a personal question.
You don't have to answer. Just think to yourself. Do you live with any regrets?
I think we all do. We think about what we should have done and could have done,
but didn't. It's not healthy to hold on to regrets, but I think if we learn from our choices,
then it's okay to remember the poor ones. Then it's no longer a regret; it's a lesson.
"Should have done" and "could have done" are examples of perfect modals.
We use these forms to talk about the past.
We form a perfect modal with a modal verb + "have" + the past participle of the main verb.
To talk about regrets and missed opportunities,
we often use "should have" and "could have." In fast speech, "should have" will sound like
"should've" or even "shoulda." "Could have" in fast speech will often sound like "could've"
or even "coulda." I should have continued to study French in college.
I could have taken French and Russian courses at the same time.
I would have continued French if someone had encouraged me not to give up.
Notice how a perfect modal with "would" easily fits into an unreal conditional sentence.
Let me show you some photos. What do you think each person is thinking?
Restate each thought with a perfect modal.
I should have told you the truth sooner.
I could have gone to a musical while the theater was still open.
I would have said goodbye if I had known Mark was leaving for a long trip.
We can also form negatives with "should have" and "would have." Again, look at the
photo. Tell me what each person is thinking. Restate the thought with a perfect modal.
I shouldn't have laughed at Sarah's mistake.
I wouldn't have come home late and made my parents worry if I had known they were waiting for me.
Did you know that Michael Keaton passed up the
opportunity to play the lead in Groundhog Day? Comment with
"should." And did you know that Michelle Pfeiffer declined to star in Pretty Woman?
Comment with "could."
Finally, did you know that Will Smith turn down the role of Neo in The Matrix?
Comment with "would." You can post all your ideas in the comments.
Now you have the grammar to talk about your own regrets and missed opportunities. But remember:
Don't feel so bad about those unwise choices. Learn from them. We'll end here. Please like
the video if you found it interesting and useful. As always, thanks for watching and happy studies!
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