Introduction

Introdução

Should have, could have, and would have are sometimes called “modals of lost opportunity” because they describe situations when we are imagining that the past was different.

Before we study those terms in the past, let’s review the difference between should, could, and would. The general rule is:

Should for recommendation / advice.

“If you want to lose weight, you should eat healthy food.”

Could for possibilities.

“I have the day off tomorrow.”

“Great! We could spend the day at the beach. Or we could go shopping.”

Would for imagining results.

“If I were rich, I would buy a boat.”

Should have, could have, e would have às vezes são chamados de “modais de oportunidade perdida” porque descrevem situações em que estamos imaginando que o passado foi diferente.

Antes de estudarmos esses termos no passado, vamos rever a diferença entre should, could e would.

A regra geral é:

Should para recomendação / conselho.

“Se você quer perder peso, deve comer alimentos saudáveis.”

Could para possibilidades.

“Eu tenho o dia de folga amanhã.”

“Ótimo! Podemos passar o dia na praia. Ou podemos ir às compras.”

Would para imaginar resultados.

“Se eu fosse rico, compraria um barco.”