Many people seem to think that blogs do not need to have proper grammar, so long as the core message gets across to the reader. I beg to differ. Blogs should be held up to the same kinds of standards as print media if they hope to get the same kind of respect from their readers. This is why you need good grammar and this is why I’m trying to do my small part with this Grammar 101 series of blog posts.
For today’s post, we take a look at a suggestion from Sydney Arnold. It’s a very common error and one that you should not overlook.
Do you know the difference between should of and should have? Do you know which one is correct?
Well, I’ll make it easy for you: Should of is wrong. It is always should have and the same applies to similar constructions like could have and would have. They are not could of and would of. The of/have confusion is much like the confusion that some people have with then and than. It’s because these pairs of words sound similar when spoken; it can become challenging to differentiate between them when writing them.
Try saying should’ve out loud. That can sound a lot like should of, but that would be wrong. It can either be should have or should’ve, but never should of. This is an easier distinction than affect/effect, since there is only one right answer.
Correct: “I should have gone when I had the chance.”
Incorrect: “I should of gone when I had the chance.”
Correct: “He would have ordered a drink, but he was sick.”
Incorrect: “He would of ordered a drink, but he was sick.”
Do you have a suggestion for a future Grammar 101 post? Share it with me via Twitter or through the comment form below.
Thanks so much for this post! The “should of”, and similar misuse of “of” is one of my grammar pet peeves.
Then/than & affect/effect are great examples of misuse, too.
It’s to see where the mix-up comes from – the contractions would’ve, should’ve, could’ve. That also helps me to remember the correct form.
Oops. Should’ve written “It’s easy to see….”
Sorry.
I’ve never encountered the misuse of “Could of”, “Would of”, and “Should of”. I’m rather surprise you think it’s a very common error.
Maybe it’s not as common where you are, but it’s quite common around here.
I have seen the should’ve contraction before and heard folks say should of and it does sound off. I haven’t used it myself because as I write it has never sounded or looked right.
I also believe it was taught to us in my college creative writing class.
I thank you for clarifying the “of” and “have” confusion. I am not a writer, nor do I profess to excellent grammar, but I do worry about my ability to effectively communicate in writing, and so looked up the issue, and found this great blog.
And contrary to differing opinions, it is a very common writing mistake.
look like i need to learn more about this from you michael and if this make you choosed by johnchow as writer on his blog
Good post. That’s one of my pet peeves as well. It’s seen far too often!
I see this all the time. It drives me crazy. Thanks for the post.
Can you please also talk about the mispronounciation of ‘address’ (noun: where we live, speech)as ‘address'(verb)
Most people, even public speakers, are confused on this.
There, they’re and their…UGH! People use them incorrectly ALL the time!
duh! only a dumbass would make that mistake
Advise and advice really annoys me. I get too many work emails where people write me to “advice” me of an issue…. grr. Do that one!
“Should of” comes up all the time in Facebook. Argh! Must. Not. Be. Grammar. Natzi! But I actually saw “could of” in a template to be used company-wide here. I was floored!
Here you go: https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2011/11/08/grammar-101-advice-vs-advise/
I don’t get how some people can confuse some of these words with the others, but then, I DID look up “ever” and “every” so often to see which was correct.
You mean this post?
https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2010/07/23/grammar-101-ever-so-often-or-every-so-often/