Jiaying Welcome to The English We Speak with me, Jiaying…
Neil … and me, Neil.
Jiaying You’re looking very festive today – and what’s that in that huge bag?
Neil Well, as it’s Christmas, I’ve bought you a present.
Jiaying Oh, Neil, you shouldn’t have!
Neil I shouldn’t have? Really? Well, I’ve still got the receipt, so I suppose I could return it.
Jiaying No, no! Don’t do that – I love presents – I just meant it’s unexpected. When we’re given a gift, we can say ‘you shouldn’t have’ to express that it is unexpected, not necessary, but also appreciated. So, I was being polite - I meant you didn’t need to buy me a gift, but thanks anyway!
Neil Right – so when you say, ‘you shouldn’t have’ you really mean ‘you should have’?
Jiaying No. It’s just a way of saying ‘thank you, what a nice surprise’. And now I have some examples for you.
Neil Oh, you shouldn’t have!
Examples Thanks for my birthday present, but you really shouldn’t have.
Flowers, for me?! You shouldn’t have!
You’ve been so generous with your gift – you shouldn’t have.
Jiaying This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and as it’s Christmas, we’re talking about the expression ‘you shouldn’t have.’ We say it to express surprise and delight at being given a gift. And Neil has a surprise for me.
Neil Have I? Oh yes, it’s in this bag.
Jiaying A huge bag – it must be a huge present.
Neil Err, well, no – it’s a small one, right at the bottom…. There you go – Happy Christmas!
Jiaying Thanks, Neil. Oh, a signed photo of you! Hmm, maybe this time – you really shouldn’t have.
Neil It’s the thought that counts. Happy Christmas, Jiaying.
Jiaying Happy Christmas, Neil.