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Anonymous Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

I should have seen them, but

Did you see your kids last weekend?

No. I should have seen them, but I canceled.

1) Is "I should have seen them" more likely to be said than "I was going to see them" or "I was supposed to see them" here?

2) Is "should" neutral here or does it sound like he feels bad about canceling? In other words would you understand it simply as "We had planned to see each other, but I canceled" or "I (really) should have seen them, but I canceled"?

  

Top answer

anonymous 1) Is "I should have seen them" more likely to be said than "I was going to see them" or "I was supposed to see them" here? It depends on how often the situation happens - that all the plans anyone has made to see some people that occur in the world that did not pan out. Your guess is as good as mine.

— AlpheccaStars

  • anonymous 1) Is "I should have seen them" more likely to be said than "I was going to see them" or "I was supposed to see them" here?
  • It depends on how often the situation happens - that all the plans anyone has made to see some people that occur in the world that did not pan out.
  • Your guess is as good as mine.
  • anonymous "I (really) should have seen them, but I canceled"?
  • That one.
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3 Answers
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anonymous1) Is "I should have seen them" more likely to be said than "I was going to see them" or "I was supposed to see them" here?

It depends on how often the situation happens - that all the plans anyone has made to see some people that occur in the world that did not pan out. Your guess is as good as mine.

anonymous "I (reall
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anonymous1) Is "I should have seen them" more likely to be said than "I was going to see them" or "I was supposed to see them" here?

The three sentences have different meanings. "Should" means that it was his duty and he feels guilty. "Was going to" is vague. "Supposed to" implies obligation.

anonymous2) Is "should" neutral here
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If I want a neutral version where he doesn't necessarily reveal that he feels guilty, what would you say?

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