"should know better" vs "should have known better"

Question

"should know better" vs "should have known better"

Both "should know better" and "should have known better" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Should know better" is used to express a general expectation of someone's behavior based on their experience or knowledge. On the other hand, "should have known better" is used to indicate a past mistake or error in judgment.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is expected to act or behave in a more appropriate or knowledgeable way due to their experience or understanding of a situation.

Examples:

After all those years of practice, he should know better than to make such a basic mistake.
She's been warned about the dangers of smoking; she should know better than to start.
As a parent, you should know better than to leave your child unattended near the pool.

Alternatives:

ought to know better
expected to know better
should be aware of
should be more knowledgeable
should act more responsibly

This phrase is used to express regret or disappointment about someone's actions in the past, suggesting that they had the knowledge or experience to make a better decision.

Examples:

I can't believe I trusted him again; I should have known better.
She should have known better than to trust a stranger with her personal information.
After the incident, he realized he should have known better than to ignore the warning signs.

Alternatives:

should have been aware of
should have been more knowledgeable
should have acted more responsibly
should have anticipated
should have foreseen

Answer 1

should know better

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a general expectation of someone's behavior based on their experience or knowledge.

Answer 2

should have known better

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a past mistake or error in judgment.

"should know better" vs "should have known better"

should know better

should have known better

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