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should have eaten it vs must have eaten it

Both "should have eaten it" and "must have eaten it" are correct, but their meanings are slightly different. "Should have eaten it" implies a recommendation or expectation. Meanwhile, "must have eaten it" suggests a strong likelihood or conclusion. The choice between them depends on the intended emphasis or certainty in the context.
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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 25, 2024 • 7108 views

should have eaten it

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a recommendation or expectation regarding eating something in the past.

Use "should have eaten it" when you want to convey that it would have been a good idea or the right thing to do to eat something in the past.

Examples:

  • You should have eaten it while it was still warm.
  • I should have eaten it before it went bad.
  • Sep 17, 2023 ... ... ussop Edit: spelling. Upvote 1. Downvote Award Share. Gratitude34. • 1y ago •. Rebbaca should have eaten it. Upvote 1. Downvote Award Share.
  • I should have eaten it days ago. 2. The New York Times.
  • Nov 14, 2023 ... Join. Options. Report. What's the best way to reheat steak? (I know.. I know.. I should have eaten it all) . Upvote 2. Downvote 13 Go to ...
  • Behold, the blood was not brought into the inner sanctuary, but you should have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I was commanded that Ahron and his sons shall eat ...
  • There, poet Lisa Ortiz told the story of having seen a snipped-from-the-paper poem on her kitchen table and feeling that she should have eaten it. (I think ...
  • Mar 30, 2013 ... If so, you should have eaten it right away rather than putting it through all the other steps you mentioned. Can you give us a reference ...
  • May 12, 2004 ... when the cable is broken the motor should have "eaten" it. When opening the sunroof you push the switch on the top, pulling the the cable ...
  • May 29, 2008 ... Eat food, take pics.<BR>2. Post pics to lounge, wait for responses to all say "Yes, you should have eaten it. Thanks for pics!" ...
  • Jan 20, 2012 ... Well, technically, you should have eaten it by the 12th. If the cheese smells bad or is turning pink and/or moldy, it's no longer good ...
  • Sep 29, 2009 ... I should have eaten it days ago. It was too soft for a tart. If I puréed it, maybe I could use the liquid in a cake. As I started flipping ...

Alternatives:

  • could have eaten it
  • might have eaten it
  • would have eaten it
  • ought to have eaten it
  • had better have eaten it

must have eaten it

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a strong likelihood or conclusion that someone ate something in the past.

Use "must have eaten it" when you want to convey a high degree of certainty or a strong inference that someone ate something in the past.

Examples:

  • He must have eaten it because the plate is empty.
  • She must have eaten it; there are crumbs everywhere.
  • Mar 25, 2019 ... Why does the Paleo Diet avoid grains, but our ancient hunter and gatherer ancestors must have eaten it, since they also foraged a lot? I'm ...
  • Feb 24, 2024 ... When my husband wonders where our food went, I shake my head and tell him the kids must have eaten it. I do whatever I can to hide what I've ...
  • Mar 5, 2018 ... they must have eaten it - I'm guessing they surely ate it. And now I would say - I'm guessing they probably are it. they might eat it. they ...
  • Jun 4, 2020 ... So she must have eaten it and I'm really worried now. Liz47. Wise Old Thumper. Jun 3, 2020. #2. I had to Google, but seems to be like vet ...
  • Jan 24, 2016 ... We must have eaten it at least three or four times a week. I really owe this salad a lot: for providing me with autonomy and confidence in ...
  • ... must have eaten it. I seen a small spludge of waterish jelly on the floor. Im not sure if he vomited it up or if it was anal leakage. It's a small amount. img.
  • Nov 28, 2017 ... Something sometime must have slipped and he must have eaten it while I was away. Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2018. Like. Reactions ...
  • Jun 17, 2020 ... ... must have eaten it by the time they took this photo!). It's a very 1960s style but they apparently also liked antique furniture ...
  • Mar 11, 2021 ... He must have eaten it. I was worried because it looked like he was trying to spit it out. Click to expand... That's typical for Oscars ...
  • Jan 21, 2010 ... ... must have eaten it because the shell was empty :thumbdown: I did not try to raise any of the eggs or do anything differently them tiny Snail ...

Alternatives:

  • probably ate it
  • likely ate it
  • almost certainly ate it
  • surely ate it
  • undoubtedly ate it

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