Had to (be) vs Should have (been)

[Fadihalloun]

Hi Mr. Alan,

Please clarify if I am on the track:

The difference between "I had to go" and "I should have gone" is the following:

"I had to go" means that in the past I was obliged to go for some reason; thereby, I went; so the action was done.

"I should have gone" means that in the past there was a real reason to go, but I did not go; the action was not done.

Is my approach correct?

Thank you,

Fadi Halloun[/u]

[Beeesneees]

Hello Fadi,

That is well understood and well explained.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi Fadi,

'I should have gone' is similar to 'I ought to have gone' suggesting that it was the right thing to dp at that time but as you correctly say, I didn't in fact go.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Miss Nana]

thank you,It's really clear explanation =)

[Egab]

[Egab]

dear Fadi Halloum, I had to go means that it was necessary or important for me in the past to go . I might have gone or not gone
I should have gone means that I had to go but I did not go . thanks
Egab

[Egab]

what is the difference between : goal / aim / target / objective / purpose ?
Egab

[Egab]

Dear miss Nana , How do you do ? Iam an egyptian teacher of English . I would like to exchange information and experience with you . Would you like to be pen friends ?
I want to practice and improve my English .
Egab ( yousifothman@ymail.com )