Bad Decisions
I can evaluate a past choice without pretending that I can change it now.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Your situation
At a rehearsal, Jo printed an old version of the programme. She did not check the date on the file and printed sixty copies. The new version was already available. Nobody was hurt, but paper and time were wasted. The team wants a useful lesson, not a round of blame.
Read the situation transcript
At a rehearsal, Jo printed an old version of the programme. She did not check the date on the file and printed sixty copies. The new version was already available. Nobody was hurt, but paper and time were wasted. The team wants a useful lesson, not a round of blame.
Which useful action did Jo omit?
Compare your idea
She did not check that she had the latest version before printing.
How it works
Should have done evaluates a past action as desirable, often one that did not happen. Shouldn’t have done evaluates an action negatively, often one that did happen. The scenario supplies what actually occurred.
Make the evaluation specific and constructive: I should have checked the date is more useful than I’m hopeless. Should have can also express expectation in other contexts; here we use it for retrospective advice.
Retrospective advice: should/shouldn’t have + participle.
Notice this
I should have checked the date.
Jo identifies an omitted useful action.
Compare this
I shouldn’t have printed all sixty copies first.
She criticises the action she took.
Hear the examples
I should have checked the date.
Jo identifies an omitted useful action.
I shouldn’t have printed all sixty copies first.
She criticises the action she took.
We should have tested one copy.
The team identifies a practical alternative.
Next time, we’ll check the version before printing.
This turns the reflection into a future procedure.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: I should have check the file.
Say: I should have checked the file.
Use the past participle after should have.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Identify one useful action the team omitted.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
They should have checked the file date.
Check yourself: Keep the advice tied to an actual omission.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Evaluate an action that caused waste.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
They shouldn’t have printed sixty copies before checking.
Check yourself: Use the negative for the action you criticise.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Give retrospective advice and a future improvement.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
We should have printed one test copy. Next time, we’ll check it before printing the rest.
Check yourself: Distinguish reflection from the next action.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Use should have: Jo didn’t check the date, but checking was advisable.
Compare a model and explanation
Jo should have checked the date.
This evaluates an omitted action.
Self-check 2
Use shouldn’t have: Jo printed all sixty copies before checking, and this was a mistake.
Compare a model and explanation
Jo shouldn’t have printed all sixty copies before checking.
This evaluates an action she did perform.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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Jo should have ___ the file date.
checked: Should have is followed by checked.
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She ___ have printed all sixty copies before checking.
shouldn’t: Shouldn’t have criticises the past decision.
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What did Jo actually omit in the story?
Checking the file date: The text explicitly states that she did not check the date.
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Which response gives specific advice rather than personal blame?
You should have checked the file date.: Specific advice identifies a changeable action.
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Which sentence refers to a future procedure?
Next time, we’ll print a test copy first.: Next time and will locate the procedure in the future.
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Correct “We should had printed one copy first.”
We should have printed one copy first.: Use the base auxiliary have after should.
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Does should have always express regret in every context?
No: It can also express expectation; the present lesson explicitly uses retrospective advice.
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What does the speaker regret not doing?
Checking the date: Should have checked evaluates the omitted check.
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Which reflection preserves the facts?
We printed the old version. We should have checked first.: The correct sentence separates the actual action from the recommended alternative.
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What makes the grammar useful here?
It connects a past choice with a better alternative.: Retrospective advice evaluates a choice; it does not alter the past or justify a personal judgement.
Take it with you
I can evaluate a past choice without pretending that I can change it now.