Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
Take the three words above; would’ve, could’ve and should’ve. Each have been used as a form of regret, excuse or empty promise at one time or another.
All three are interchangeable and all three, to me, just means you didn’t do something, never intended to in the first place or feel bad after the fact.
I’ve done this plenty of times but the worst example I have is when I went to the grocery store with my wife.
As I sat in the car, she walked into the store to buy two bags of firewood. We parked pretty far away from the store entrance because of a filled parking lot.
About five minutes later I see my wife walking out of the store carrying two large bags of firewood.
You know the bag type, about eight pieces of firewood in a mesh bag, held closed with a piece of plastic tie - the kind that can severe a finger if held too tight.
As she carries the two bags and gets to the sidewalk, I watch her put the bags down, and look around. I think to myself, what is she looking for? She then picks the bags up and continues across the way and into the parking lot. She puts the bags down again and looks around again. She waits a moment, picks the bags up, makes it to the truck and puts the bags in the back.
As she gets in she says “why didn’t you help me?” My response, “I would’ve if I knew you needed help.” She says, “I was struggling” and I respond, “should’ve gotten a cart.” I end it there.
Needless to say, she could’ve talked to me on the way home but didn’t.
Should’ve, would’ve and could’ve only say what you should’ve, would’ve or could’ve done - only because someone pointed something out to you.
It never would’ve changed, had you never knew at all. And they never would’ve been used if you never knew to begin with.
They are unnecessary words, used in the past tense, that make no difference and have no bearing on the present tense because they are usually used after the fact.
What you would’ve done, could’ve said or should’ve listened to - well it doesn’t matter now, it’s only to say what might have happened - but probably wouldn’t have.
Like me helping with the firewood. It was obvious what I should’ve done, and didn’t. She already knew I didn’t help. And I told her something that made no difference at all.
So confusing. So what’s the point?
Would’ve can be changed to will do.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Could’ve can be changed to can do.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13
Should’ve can be changed to shall do.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
Matthew 7:7
Don’t make excuses because you know better. Know what God will do, can do and shall do in your life. Don’t get to the end and have regret.
People will use these at the end of their lives to relay regret. All the things they would’ve done. All the things they should’ve done and all the things they could’ve done. If only they knew.
Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone you meet. Let them see Christ in you. Live life with God at the center of it and love him with all your soul, all your might and all your heart.