How do native English speakers say "shouldn't have"?

Native speakers reduce "shouldn't have" to "shouldn't've" (/ʃʊdntəv/) in natural speech. Expresses regret or criticism about a past action that should not have happened, or a past obligation that was not met.

shouldn't have → shouldn't've | Elision

Q: What is the connected speech form of "shouldn't have"?

"shouldn't have" becomes "shouldn't've" — a elision pattern. The 'have' in negative modal perfects often completely drops its /h/ and vowel, becoming a subtle 'v' or just blending into the preceding consonant sound.

shouldn't have → shouldn't've /ʃʊdntəv/ Elision

Expresses regret or criticism about a past action that should not have happened, or a past obligation that was not met.

The 'have' in negative modal perfects often completely drops its /h/ and vowel, becoming a subtle 'v' or just blending into the preceding consonant sound.

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STANDARD FORM → REDUCED FORM

shouldn't have → shouldn't've

/ʃʊdntəv/

Expresses regret or criticism about a past action that should not have happened, or a past obligation that was not met.

The 'have' in negative modal perfects often completely drops its /h/ and vowel, becoming a subtle 'v' or just blending into the preceding consonant sound.

Step 3 · Context

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Example 1

I shouldn't have said that.

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Example 2

They shouldn't have left without us.

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Example 3

You shouldn't have worried so much.

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Example 4

We shouldn't've bought those tickets.

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Example 5

He shouldn't've quit his job so fast.

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shouldn't have → shouldn't've