With our beautiful Australian drawl, when we say words like should’ve, could’ve, would’ve or must’ve, it sounds like we are saying “should of”, “could of”, “would of” or “must of”. But we’re not!
They are actually abbreviations of the phrases “should have”, “could have”, “would have” and “must have”. While these abbreviations are used less often than words like didn’t, won’t and can’t, they can still be used if you want to add a conversational tone to your writing.
For example:
- I should’ve applied for that job.
- She must’ve known it was a joke!
- I could’ve gone to the Gold Coast this summer.
Have a grammar question? Ask Karen
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