I should've never let this happen to you.

[emp0608]

Hi folks,

Grammatically speaking, I think we should say, "I should never have let this happen to you", but would you condone in a casual speech "I should've never let this happen to you"? It's a lot easier to say.

Thanks.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I'd condone it, but I wouldn't say it and I don't think it's easier to say either.

The "I should've..." at the beginning is the sort of thing that leads to, "I should've never've let this happen to you", and then where would we be?

 

[emp0608]

Thanks Roman55 for your prompt reply. Would you like to comment on the following Google results: "I should never have let this happen to you."
– 8; "I should've never let this happen to you." – 1070? And for me, "have let this" is a bit of a tongue twister.

 

[BobK]

Hi folks,

Grammatically speaking, I think we should say, "I should never have let this happen to you", but would you condone in a casual speech "I should've never let this happen to you"? It's a lot easier to say.

Thanks.

As you know, the first version is formally preferable. As you also know, the second version is common. You may find it easier to get your mouth round the preferable version if you drop the h (as native speakers often do). But if you do this, don't let this habit affect your writing - 'never of' is just wrong.

b

 

[emsr2d2]

In spoken, casual English you'll hear "I should've never let this happen", "I never should've let this happen" and even "I shouldn't've ever let this happen"! I would accept any of them in a casual informal situation. In a formal situation or an exam, I would use "I should never/not have let this happen". There is nothing tonguetwister-like about "have let this". Would you have the same problem with "We have let this go on far too long"? Is it just the combination of a word starting with "L" followed by a word starting with "TH"?