Looking for synonyms for should have? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say should have.
- Ought to have
- Needed to have
- Was supposed to
- Was expected to
- Was required to
- Was obligated to
- Had to
- Must have (in the sense of necessity, not speculation)
- Was meant to
- Was intended to
Want to learn how to say should have professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Ought to have
Used to express a strong recommendation or expectation that was not met.
- Example: “You ought to have double-checked the report for errors before submitting it to the client.”
2. Needed to have
Indicates a necessity that was not fulfilled.
- Example: “The team needed to have completed the market analysis before the product launch.”
3. Was supposed to
Refers to an expectation or intended action that did not occur.
- Example: “The contractor was supposed to finish the renovation by the end of the month, but it’s still incomplete.”
4. Was expected to
Similar to “was supposed to,” it indicates an anticipated action that did not happen.
- Example: “The technology team was expected to update the security protocols last quarter.”
5. Was required to
Indicates a mandatory action that was not completed.
- Example: “The finance department was required to submit the budget review by the deadline, which they failed to meet.”
6. Was obligated to
Refers to a duty or commitment that was not honored.
- Example: “The company was obligated to provide a safe working environment, yet it neglected several safety standards.”
7. Had to
Expresses a necessity or obligation that was not fulfilled.
- Example: “The project manager had to ensure all team members were briefed about the changes, but some were left uninformed.”
8. Must have (in the sense of necessity, not speculation)
Used to state a necessity that was expected but not achieved.
- Example: “The developers must have tested the new features thoroughly before release, but numerous bugs were reported.”
9. Was meant to
Implies an intention or purpose that was not realized.
- Example: “The marketing campaign was meant to boost sales, but it had little impact on the target audience.”
10. Was intended to
Similar to “was meant to,” it signifies an aim or plan that did not come to fruition.
- Example: “The training session was intended to enhance the team’s skills, but it was canceled at the last minute.”
