The rule, as people use it
Regret is looking back and wishing the past were different. English has four common ways to say it, from light to heavy.
"I should have" plus a past participle is the everyday one. "I should have left earlier." "I shouldn't have said that." In speech it shrinks to "should've", which sounds like "should of". Write "should have", but say it short.
"I wish I had" plus a past participle is a bit more emotional: "I wish I'd studied harder." The "had" is the key. It pushes the wish into the past. "I wish I studied harder" is about now, not then.
"I regret" plus a verb with -ing, or plus a noun, is more serious. You hear it about big life choices: "I regret not learning to swim." "I regret that decision." It sounds heavier, so people use it less for small things.
"If only" is the most dramatic, used with "I had": "If only I'd listened." It's often a sigh more than a sentence.
Examples
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
I'm starving. I (should / eat) breakfast.
- 2
She (should / not / say) that to her boss.
- 3
I wish I (learn) to cook when I was younger.
- 4
He regrets (not / call) her back.
- 5
If only we (leave) ten minutes earlier.
- 6
Xiao doesn't regret (quit) her job.
- 7
We (should / buy) the bigger apartment.
- 8
I wish I (not / eat) so much.
Practice · 3 min
Think about the past week, the past year and your life so far. Write one regret for each, using a different pattern each time, then say them out loud. End with what you'll do next time.
- This week: I should have ___ .
- This week: I shouldn't have ___ .
- This year: I wish I'd ___ .
- My life so far: I regret not ___ .
- Something small: If only I'd ___ .
- Next time, I'm going to ___ .
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.