EXPRESS REGRETS ABOUT PAST ACTIONS

WHAT IS REGRET

The best way to introduce modals of regret is to first define and discuss regrets and what they are. The key element  to stress regret is that you are looking back upon a past event and reflecting upon it. It comes from strongly wanting to change your actions, your behaviors, your reactions, etc.

GRAMMAR 

subject + modals verbs + have + past participle + complement. 

EXAMPLE: 

• If I had gone to college, I could have got a better job.
• She should have left my house earlier.
• If we had arrived earlier, we would have caught our flight.

COMMON USES:

 There are some modals of regret that are very common in spoken English. Often we use these conversationally and they can be heard quite frequently. 

Some of those are:

• Would have done something (This modal verbs is used when something is certain) 
• Could have donde something (Is used to talk about possibilities)
• May/Might have done something (Is used to talk about possibilities)
• Must have done something ( Is used to give conclusions)
• Should have done something (Is used to talk about regrets) 

PRACTICE: 

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have-exercise-1.html