Word Confusion: Might’a not be a Could’a, Would’a, Should’a

Posted March 4, 2013 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

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It’s all about how we hear it and, yes, when we speak could have, should have, or would have — ooh, let’s not forget might have — do all sound like __ of. That’s still not a good reason for using the of version. I keep finding this one everywhere I read, so be vigilant and . . . *smirk* . . . look better than the rest!

Unless your character is of the type who would use a would’a.

Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

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Could Have Might Have Should Have Would Have	Could Of Might Of Should Of Would Of
Verb, Conditional Perfect	Doesn’t exist grammatically
Past tenses are created using “have”	See “Could Have, Might Have, Should Have, and Would Have” on the left * In spoken English, should have is often contracted to should’ve. This contraction sounds like should of and because of this, native speakers of English sometimes write should of instead of should have. And, they’d be wrong. * Substitute could, might, or would as required.
YES	NO to the “Of”
Examples:
If he had told me, I could have taken him off that bus. They might have arrived now. You should have asked me first. If you had asked, I would have lent you my hat rack.	If he had told me, I could of have taken him off that bus. They might of have arrived now. You should of have asked me first. If you had asked, I would of have lent you my hat rack.

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

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