Usage of would and should

[mandeepak]

Kindly let me know the correct usage for

1. should have
2. would have
3. had been

[Danielle]

Well, there's lots to say on these... But I will give examples to steer you in the right direction.

1. Should have is paired with the past tense of any verb (no participle) to suggest that the subject (for whatever reason) could have chosen a course of action in the conditional past, but didn't.
Ex: Marty should have gone to the party, but he overslept.

2. Would have is also conditional past tense. It's also paired with any verb (no participle) to suggest that the subject (for whatever reason) could have chosen a course of action in the conditional past BUT WAS PREVENTED FROM DOING SO (by something; may not be articulated in the sentence though).
Ex: Sheila would have been a great president.

3. Had been refers to something that existed or was true at one time. It's imperfect so whatever "it" was, it existed over time. You can also pair this one with a verb in present tense.
Ex: Gary had been happy in his marriage until he caught his wife cheating.
My father had been taking pictures with the lens cap on!

[mandeepak]

Thanks a lot