Skip to Content

Content tagged with "criticism"

7 item(s) found.

Present perfect to express annoyance

Normally the present perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. tenseA grammatical category that is marked by verb inflection. To express when an event or action happens in time or when a state exists, we use tenses. is not used with the question wordA word that introduces a wh-question. E.g.: What are you doing? when. In the following sentence, however, this question word does not refer to a specific point in the past, but rather any point in an incomplete period of timeA period of time that includes the time of speaking. E.g.: I have known him for two years. ("for two years").

When have you ever done the dishes?

This use implies annoyance or criticism.

SHOULD + perfect infinitive

You should have been on time. (but you were not)
We ought to have protected the environment. (but we did not)

These can also be considered as criticism or advice.

Modals expressing present habits

The auxiliaryA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") can is used here to express capability.

Winters in Minnesota can be really cold.

For annoying habits, typical of a person we can use would. This usage sometimes implies criticism and has an emphaticSpecial importance or attention given to something. E.g.: All I wanna do is have some fun. effect:

Modals expressing past criticism

To express past criticism the same auxiliariesA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") are used as in the case of present criticism. However, the infinitives that follow are perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. infinitives.

Modals expressing present and future criticism

To show disapproval, the auxiliariesA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") can, could, might and should/shouldn't are used.

You can be really annoying, you know! 
You shouldn't be sitting here just doing nothing!
You might be more polite!
George could really help you!

Modals expressing "past advice"

Normally we can give advice for the present and future, so what we call "past advice" is actually past criticism.

"I should've known better with a girl like you."
You might have told me you weren't coming.
Visitors ought to have booked their tickets in advance.
He could really have helped you!

Syndicate content