"should have + past participle" or "had to"
Could you teach me about the difference between "should have -" and "had to -"?
The following sentences are from a grammar textbook.
The textbook says the former is correct and the latter is not.

a. I should have telephoned you last night, but I was too busy.
b. I had to telephone you last night, but I was too busy.

Why is the latter incorrect?
How does it sound to native speakers of English?

Question

"should have + past participle" or "had to"
Could you teach me about the difference between "should have -" and "had to -"?
The following sentences are from a grammar textbook.
The textbook says the former is correct and the latter is not.

a. I should have telephoned you last night, but I was too busy.
b. I had to telephone you last night, but I was too busy.

Why is the latter incorrect?
How does it sound to native speakers of English?

Answer

a. I should have telephoned you last night, but I was too busy.
=> I was expected [It would have been best for me] to call you last night, but I didn't, because I was too busy - logical.
("should have done" means it was not done and I regret it now)

b. I had to telephone you last night, but I was too busy.
=> I had reasons to call you, and so I did.  But I was too busy - The two sentences contradict each other.
("had to do" means I had reasons to do it and actually did)

Answer

This is a very poor example, and I suggest that you use real English-based websites instead of Japanese texts which "translate" English.

I'm aware that these are two possible answers to a question, and the correct answer is "should have".  This grammar form tells us about the actions which DID NOT happen in the past.

Answers · 4

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