I'm Alice Bryant.

Can you think of something recent that you regret doing or not doing?

I can.

Today, for example, I left my clothes outside the dry all day.

At first it was sunny, but then it started pouring and the clothes got soaked.

I should have taken the close down sooner.

We used the phrase I should have to say that something did not happen.

But we wish it had happened.

We can use this phrase to talk about almost any kind of regret.

Big or small, the structure goes like this.

I should have plus past participle.

I used the past participle form of the verb take which is taken.

Listen, toe This speaker used the phrase I should have and note the past participle that comes after I was late for work today.

I should have gotten up earlier.

Did you catch the past participle?

It was gotten up from the verb.

Get up.

We can also use the negative form.

I should not have to express the same general idea like this.

I should not have slept so late.

And I should not have left my clothes outside all day.

Well, better luck next time.