Using Perfect Modals to Express Regrets - English Grammar

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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