Learn English – “I would’ve been” or “I should’ve been”

grammarspeech

When on a job interview and asked:

Tell us more about yourself.

How do I say something like:

…Well, I would've been a father but sadly my son died due to cord constriction…

My son died on the 35th week of pregnancy, just a few days shy of the due date.

Best Answer

First of all, condolences on your loss.

The distinction between should have and would have is small but definite.

Should have generally refers to a piece of advice, or something that was supposed to happen but did not against expectation (in a negative sense).

You should have listened to me. Then you wouldn't have fallen down.

My arm should have healed by now, but it still hurts.

Would have generally refers to something that might have happened, but didn't due to a specific reason.

My arm would have healed, but I didn't take my medicine.