we should have known better → we shoulda known better /wiː ˈʃʊdə noʊn ˈbɛɾər/ Reduction
We regret that we did not act more wisely or anticipate a negative outcome.
In casual speech, 'should have' often reduces to 'shoulda' due to vowel reduction and the elision (dropping) of the 'h' sound. Additionally, the 't' in 'better' frequently becomes a quick 'd' sound, known as flapping, especially in American English.
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STANDARD FORM → REDUCED FORM
we should have known better → we shoulda known better
/wiː ˈʃʊdə noʊn ˈbɛɾər/
We regret that we did not act more wisely or anticipate a negative outcome.
In casual speech, 'should have' often reduces to 'shoulda' due to vowel reduction and the elision (dropping) of the 'h' sound. Additionally, the 't' in 'better' frequently becomes a quick 'd' sound, known as flapping, especially in American English.
Step 3 · Context
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Example 1
We shoulda known better than to trust him.
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Example 2
Looking back, we shoulda known better about the risks.
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Example 3
It's a shame; we really shoulda known better.
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Example 4
Man, we shoulda known better than to buy that used car.
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Example 5
After that disaster, we shoulda known better than to try cooking without a recipe.
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Step 6 · Result
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we should have known better → we shoulda known better