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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Past continuous question

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what others think about the following sentence:

'Candice wasn’t talking to her daughter as much as she should have.'

My specific question is this: is it better to include the word - have - at the end of the sentence, or is it better to leave it out?

In other words, does this sound better:

'Candice wasn’t talking to her daughter as much as she should.'

If yes, then why?

Many thanks
CC Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Cup cake My specific question is this: is it better to include the word - have - at the end of the sentence, or is it better to leave it out? Leave it in. The mouthful version is: Candice wasn’t talking to her daughter (past) as much as she should have been talking to her (past).

— AlpheccaStars

  • Cup cake My specific question is this: is it better to include the word - have - at the end of the sentence, or is it better to leave it out?
  • Leave it in.
  • The mouthful version is: Candice wasn’t talking to her daughter (past) as much as she should have been talking to her (past).
  • When we cut off the verb for the short form, we leave "have" because it is past time.
  • If you delete "have," you are left with an incongruity in the sequence of tenses.
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2 Answers
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Cup cakeMy specific question is this: is it better to include the word - have - at the end of the sentence, or is it better to leave it out?
Leave it in. The mouthful version is:

Candice wasn’t talking to her daughter (past) as much as she should have been talking to her (past).

When we cut off the verb for the short form, we le
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Emotion: rose Thanks AlpheccaStars.

Great explanation and clear as vodka. !
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