"shouldn't be so aggressive" vs "shouldn't have been so aggressive"

Question

"shouldn't be so aggressive" vs "shouldn't have been so aggressive"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Shouldn't have been so aggressive' refers to a past action that was regretted, while 'shouldn't be so aggressive' is a general statement about current behavior. The choice between the two depends on whether you are talking about something that happened in the past or addressing a current situation.

Last Updated: April 08, 2024

This phrase is used to give advice or make a suggestion about someone's current behavior, indicating that they should not act aggressively.

Examples:

You shouldn't be so aggressive in your approach.
He shouldn't be so aggressive when dealing with customers.

Alternatives:

shouldn't act so aggressively
shouldn't be as aggressive
shouldn't show such aggression
shouldn't behave aggressively
shouldn't display aggression

This phrase is used to talk about something that happened in the past and express regret or a wish that the action had been different.

Examples:

I shouldn't have been so aggressive in the meeting yesterday.
She shouldn't have been so aggressive with her comments.

Alternatives:

shouldn't have acted so aggressively
shouldn't have been as aggressive
shouldn't have shown such aggression
shouldn't have behaved aggressively
shouldn't have displayed aggression

Answer 1

shouldn't be so aggressive

This phrase is correct and commonly used to advise someone to change their current behavior.

Answer 2

shouldn't have been so aggressive

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express regret about a past action.