'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda', Woulda, coulda, and shoulda are not just the constituent parts of a expression you use when you realize that you didn't do something you might've (mighta?) done; they are also words that we are watching (we're not watching mighta, just to be clear). All three words are colloquialisms, and take their initial verb and add a final A as a shortening of the word have. None of them are what would be described as standard English, but, as is so often the case with such words, they have been around for a lot longer than any of the people who might complain about their use. dog covering face Lexicographers remain unsure of whether or not dogs can feel the regrets expressed by 'coulda,' 'woulda,' and 'shoulda,' but they certainly look cute when they try.